280
1936 y.2
Kansas Qltlg
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This Volume is for
REFERENCE USE ONLY
^t^^f^pfM^fJ^^
UNITED STATES DEPARTMEJ^pY fcc
JESSE H. JONES, Secretary
BUREAU OF THE CENSUS
VERGIL D. REED, Acting Director
RELIGIOUS BODIES : 1936
VOLUME II
PART 1
DENOMINATIONS
A to J
STATISTICS, HISTORY, DOCTRINE
ORGANIZATION, AND WORK
Prepared under the supervision of
Dr. T. F. MURPHY
Chief Statistician for Religious Statistics
UNITED STATES
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
WASHINGTON : 1941
For sal© by the Superintendent oi Documents, Washington, D, C. - - - Price $1.25 (Buckram)
RELIGIOUS BODIES : 1936
This report is published in two volumes, as follows:
VOLUME L— SUMMARY AND DETAILED TABLES,
VOLUME II.-— SEPAEATE DENOMINATIONS:
STATISTICS, HISTORY, DOCTRINE, ORGANIZATION, AND WORK.
Part 1. — Denominations A to J.
Part 2.— Denominations K to Z.
ii
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE,
BUREAU OF THE CENSUS,
Washington, D. C., February 20, 1941.
SIR:
I transmit herewith part 1 of volume II of the 1936 Census of
Religious Bodies. Volume II is published in two parts and presents
detailed statistics and descriptive statements of the history, doctrine,
organization, and work of each of the denominations. These statistics
and statements, comprising 256 denominations, were published first
in 78 separate bulletins. The data were obtained by mail and personal
canvass in connection with the 1936 Census of Religious Bodies.
# # # # # # . #
The collection and pompilation of these statistics were under the
supervision of Dr. T. F. Murphy, Chief Statistician for General
Information, Records, and Religious Statistics.
VERGIL D. REED,
Acting Director of the Census.
Hon. JESSE H. JONES,
Secretary oj Commerce.
IH
CONTENTS
Page
Introduction ix
Explanation of terms x
Adventist bodies 3
Advent Christian Church 7
Seventh-day Adventist Denomination 18
Church of God (Adventist) 32
Life and Advent Union 38
Church of God (Oregon, 111.) 42
Primitive Advent Christian Church 48
African Orthodox Church 49
American Ethical Union 53
American Rescue Workers 56
Apostolic Overcoming Holy Church of God 60
Assemblies of God, General Council _** 63
Assyrian Jacobite Apostolic Church 73
Bahd'is 76
Baptist bodies 83
Northern' Baptist Convention 91
Southern Baptist Convention 114
• — -Negro Baptists 143
General Six Principle Baptists 156
Seventh Day Baptists 159
Free Will Baptists 167
—United American Free Will Baptist Church (Colored) 176
General Baptists 181
Separate Baptists 188
"Regular Baptists 194
United Baptists •_ 200
Duck River and Kindred Associations of Baptists (Baptist Church
of Christ) 207
•»»• - 'Primitive 'Baptists 212
Colored Primitive Baptists 226
Two-Seed-in-the-Spirit Predestinarian Baptists 234
Independent Baptist Church of America 239
America'n Baptist Association 243
.Christian Unity Baptist Association 251
i/ General Association of Regular Baptist Churches in the United States
of America 254
Seventh Day Baptists (German, 1728) 259*
National Baptist Evangelical Life and Soul Saving Assembly of the
United States of America 263
Brethren, German Baptist (Dunkers) 266
Church of the Brethren -(Conservative Dunkers) 267
Old German Baptist Brethren (Old Order Dunkers) 278
The Brethren Church (Progressive Dunkers) 283
Church of God (New Dunkers) 289
Brethren, Plymouth 291
Plymouth Brethren I 294
Plymouth Brethren II 299
Plymouth Brethren III 307
Plymouth Brethren IV 311
Plymouth Brethren V 316
Plymouth Brethren VI 321
Plymouth Brethren VII 324
Plymouth Brethren VIII 326
v
VI CONTENTS
Page
Brethren, River 329
Brethren in Christ . . 331
Old Order or Yorker Brethren— - -. 337
United Zion's Children 339
Buddhist Mission of North America 341
Catholic Apostolic Church . 347
Christadelphians 351
The Christian and Missionary Alliance 358
Christian Union . . .„ 366
Christ's Sanctified Holy Church Colored „ 373
Church of Armenia in America . 377
Church of Christ (Holiness) U. S. A .. — .. 385
Church of Christ, Scientist . 390
Churches of God:
Church of God 400
Church of God (Headquarters, Anderson, Ind.) 408
The (Original) Church of God „ 416
Church of God (Salem, W. Va.)- 421
(Tomlinson) Church of God 426
Church of God and Saints of Christ _ 433
Church $ God in Christ . 441
Church of the Nazarene 449
Churches of Christ 462
Churches of Christ in Christian Union of Ohio 471
Churches of God, Holiness - 473
General Eldership of the Churches of God in North America ,. 478
Churches of the Living God 486
Church of the Living God, Christian Workers for Fellowship 487
Church of the Living God, "The Pillar and Ground of Truth" 493
Churches of the New Jerusalem 498
General Convention of the New Jerusalem in the United States of
America 499
General Church of the New Jerusalem 507
Congregational and Christian Churches. _ _ 512
Congregational Holiness Church- .1 .- 529
Disciples of Christ ,-.... 533
Divine Science Church ..-.. 545
Eastern Orthodox Churches _ 549
Albanian Orthodox Church __ _ 553
American Holy Orthodox Catholic Apostolic Eastern Church „ 557
Apostolic Episcopal Church (The Holy Eastern Catholic and Apostolic
Orthodox Church) _.. _ 560
Bulgarian Orthodox Church, , 563
Greek Orthodox Church (Hellenic) 566
Holy Orthodox Church in America „__ 574
Roumanian Orthodox Church .-..,. 576
Russian Orthodox Church „_ 581
Serbian Orthodox Church _ „ 592
Syrian Antiochian Orthodox Church , . 597
Ukrainian Orthodox Church of America .,. 602
'Evangelical and Reformed Church _ ,,. 605
.Evangelical Church ._ 619
.Evangelical Congregational Church _ 630
Evangelistic associations _ 636
Apostolic Christian Church 638
Apostolic Christian Church (Nazarean) 642
Apostolic Faith Mission. _ 646
CONTENTS VII
Evangelistic associations — Continued.
Christian Congregation _________________________________________ 650
Church of Daniel's Band _______________________________________ 651
Church of God (Apostolic) ______________________________________ 653
Church of God as Organized by Christ ___________________________ 657
Hephzibah Faith Missionary Association _________________________ 661
Metropolitan Church Association ...... ____________________ ...... 665
Missionary Church Association ..... _____________________________ 668
Missionary Bands of the World _________________________________ 673
Pillar of Fire __________________________________________________ 677
Federated Churches ________________________________________________ 683
Fire Baptized Holiness Church of God of the Americas _________________ 693
Friends ___________________________________________________________ 697
Society of Friends (Orthodox) ___________________________________ 698
Society of Friends (Hicksite) ____________________________________ 71 1
Orthodox Conservative Friends (Wilburite) _______________________ 718
Friends '(Primitive) __________________________________________ „_ 723
Holiness Church ___________________________________________________ 724
Independent Churches _____________________________________________ 727
Independent Negro Churches _______________________________________ 735
International Church of the Foursquare Gospel ________________________ 739
Italian bodies _____________________________________________________ 747
General Council of the Italian Pentecostal Assemblies of God _______ 748
The Unorganized Italian Christian Churches of North America ______ 752
Jewish Congregations _____________________________________ ________ 756
Index ____________________________ .............. __________________ 773
INTRODUCTION
The Census of Religious Bodies, as its name indicates, is a census of religious
organizations rather than an inquiry into the religious affiliations of the individuals
comprising the population of the United States. This census is taken once in 10
years in accordance with the provisions of the Permanent Census Act approved
March 6, 1902, as amended by the act of June 7, 1906, and as further amended by
the Fourteenth Census Act, approved March 3, 1919.
The census of 1936 was conducted under the supervision of Dr. T. F. Murphy,
Chief Statistician for Religious Statistics.
Reports were obtained by the Bureau of the Census from each of the congrega-
tions, churches, or other local organization of each religious body. The census
data were thus obtained directly from the local churches and are not in any sense
a compilation of the statistics collected by the different denominations and pub-
lished in their yearbooks. Lists of the local organizations for 1936 were secured,
so far as possible, from the denominational headquarters, and much additional
assistance was rendered by the officials of the various denominational organizations.
The results of this census are given in two volumes. The statistics were first
published by denominations, a bulletin being issued for each denomination or
family of denominations as soon as the tabulations were completed. In these
bulletins the statistics for each religious body were shown for the entire United
States, and by States, distinguishing urban and rural areas; and for certain denom-
inations they were given by ecclesiastical divisions. Volume II (pts. 1 and 2),
the present report, is a consolidation of these denominational bulletins. In
volume I the statistics covering all of the denominations are presented for the
United States as a whole, by States, for the principal cities, and to some extent
by counties; comparisons are made with previous censuses where possible; and, in
addition, there is a separate presentation for Negro churches.
The statistics for 1936 were collected mainly by correspondence, but partly
by the employment of special agents. The enumeration of the Jewish congrega-
tions, resulting in the most complete statistics ever obtained as to the number and
distribution of persons of the Jewish faith in the United States, was made through
a special agent, Dr. H. S. Linfield, who was selected and generously assisted in
his work by the Statistical Bureau of the Synagogue Council of America.
The Census of Religious Bodies is confined to the continental United States
only and does not include any outlying possessions; and the statistics collected
in the present census cover either the calendar year 1936 or the church record
year which corresponds most nearly to that calendar year.
Prior to 1906 the census of religious bodies, with, however, fewer inquiries, was
taken in connection with the decennial enumeration of population; statistics
obtained in conjunction with the population census of 1880 were never published;
and data for the years 1850, 1860, and 1870, similarly obtained, are not com-
parable witlrthe^later statistics.
The denominations presented in this report number 256, of which 183 are
grouped in 24 families and 73 are listed as separate denominations. For a list of the
denominations included in part 1, in the order of their presentation, see page V.
X INTRODUCTION
Changes in names since 1926 and other changes, such as the formation of new
denominations or the consolidation of old ones, are given for all denominations
in the introduction to volume I. In volume II (pts. 1 and 2) such changes are
explained in the historical statement of the individual denomination and in the
table of comparative data; and in the case of the family groups there is shown, in
addition, a statistical summary of the denominations constituting the respective
groups for the years 1936, 1926, 1916, and 1906. In this statistical summary
which accompanies the historical statement of the family group it should he
noted that the group total has been used for convenience only and not as signifi-
cant of corporate or organic unity.
Since churches in cities and those in rural sections piesent different problem*
of organization and methods of work, separate statistics are given for urban
and rural churches.
The order of presentation of material under each denomination is as follows:
1. A general summary for the United States of all the statistical items derived
from the schedules, showing the distribution of the figures between urban and
rural territory.
2. A comparative summary giving the available statistics for the censuses of
1936, 1926, 1916, and 1906.
3. Tables giving, by States, the number and membership of the churches
classified according to their location in urban or rural territory, membership
classified by sex, value of churches and parsonages and amount of debt on church
edifices, church expenditures, and Sunday schools.
4. Somewhat less detailed data for ecclesiastical divisions, such as presbyteries,
dioceses, synods, etc., where these exist.
5. A statement of the history, doctrine, and organization of each denomination.
This statement in many cases was substantially the same as that furnished in
1926, but it has been submitted to the official of the organization whose name is
given and has been revised to date and approved by him in its present form. In
the case of new bodies the historical statement was supplied by a competent per-
son of the denomination.
EXPLANATION OF TERMS
Following is an explanation of the terms used in the statistical tables, which,
as stated above, are presented under each denomination.
Churches. — The term "church" is applied to any organization of persons for
religious worship, whether under the name of church, meeting, mission, station,
etc., which has a separate membership, that is, no members of which are included
in the membership of any other similar organization. Thus each congregation
of a Methodist circuit is counted as a church, and likewise each preparative
meeting of a Friends monthly meeting, and each mission of a Roman Catholic or
other church, whose membership is not included with the membership of the
central church.
Number of churclies. — In the reports of the Census of Religious Bodies for
1916 and 1906 the total number of churches, or organizations, shown for some
denominations was slightly in excess of the number of churches reporting member-
ship. Since membership figures have been obtained for all of the churches
included in the reports for the years 1936 and 1926 and for other reasons, it has
seemed advisable to use, for purposes of comparison with 1936 and 1926, the
number of churches reporting membership in 1916 and 1906. These figures are
used, therefore, in the tables presenting comparative figures for these earlier
years.
INTRODUCTION XI
Membership. — The members of a local church organization, and thus of the
denomination to which the church belongs, are those persons who are recognized
as constituent parts of the organization. The exact definition of membership
depends upon the constitution and practice of the church, or denomination,
under consideration. Each church was instructed to report the number of its
members according to the definition of membership as used in that particular
church or organization. In some religious bodies the term "member" is applied
only to communicants, while in others it includes all baptized persons, and in
still other bodies it covers all enrolled persons.
Separate figures are shown for members "under 13 years of age" and those "13
years of age and over," so far as reported by the individual churches. The
membership "13 years of age and over" usually affords a better basis for com-
parison between denominations reporting membership on a different basis.
Urban and rural churches. — Urban churches are those located in urban areas;
these areas, as defined by the Census Bureau in censuses prior to 1930, included
all cities and other incorporated places having 2,500 inhabitants or more. For
use in connection with the 1930 census the definition has been slightly modified
and extended so as to include townships and other political subdivisions (not
incorporated as municipalities nor containing any area so incorporated) which
had a total population of 10,000 or more, and a population density of 1,000 or
more per square mile. Rural churches would be those located outside of the
above areas. Thus to a very limited extent the urban and rural areas, as reported
for 1936, differ somewhat from these areas as reported in the preceding censuses.
Church edifices. — A church edifice is a building used mainly or wholly for
religious services.
Value of church property. — The term "value of church property" was used in
the reports of the Census of Religious Bodies for 1916 and 1906 and the term
"value of church edifices" has been substituted in 1936 and 1926. The figures
are strictly comparable, however, as exactly the same class of property is covered
by both terms.
The "value of church edifices" comprises the estimated value of the church
buildings owned and used for worship by the organizations reporting, together
with the value of the land on which these buildings stand and the furniture, organs,
bells, and other equipment owned by the churches and actually used in connection
with religious services. Where parts of a church building are used for social or
educational work in connection with the church, the whole value of the building
and its equipment is included, as it has been found practically impossible to make
a proper separation in such cases. The number and value of the parsonages,
or pastors' residences, are shown where the ownership of such buildings was
reported by the churches.
Debt. — The summary tables show the amount of debt reported and the number
of churches reporting a specific debt, also the number of churches reporting that
they had "no debt." The total of these is, in most cases, nearly equal to the
number reporting the value of church edifices.
Expenditures. — The total expenditures by the churches during their last fiscal
year are separated in the reports received from most of the churches into the items
called for, as they appeared on the schedule, which were as follows: (1) Pastor's
salary; (2) all other salaries; (3) repairs and improvements; (4) payment on church
debt, excluding interest; (5) all local relief and charity, Red Cross, etc.; (6) all
other current expenses, including interest; (7) home missions; (8) foreign missions;
(9) amount sent to general headquarters for distribution by them; (10) all other
purposes.
XII INTRODUCTION
Averages. — The average number of members per church is obtained by dividing
the total membership by the total number of churches shown. The average value
of church edifice and the average expenditure per church are obtained by dividing
the total value of churches and the total expenditures, respectively, by the number
of churches reporting in each case.
Sunday schools. — The Sunday schools for which statistics are presented in this
report are those maintained by the churches of the denomination reporting, in-
cluding, in some cases, mission schools or other Sunday schools conducted by the
church elsewhere than in the main church edifice. The statistics shown relate
to Sunday schools only and do not include the weekday schools that are main-
tained by a number of denominations.
SCHEDULE FOR LOCAL CHURCH
ORGANIZATIONS
Following is a reproduction of the schedule which was to be filled out for each
individual church organization.
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
BUREAU OF THE CENSUS
WASHINGTON
of Boles: 1936
FILL OUT A SEPARATE SCHEDULE FOR EACH CHURCH
SEE INSTRUCTIONS ON THE BACK OF THIS SHEET
YOUR CENSUS REPORTS ARE CONFIDENTIAL.— Acts of Congress make it unlawful to disclose any fact*,
including names or identity, from your census reports. These laws are strictly enforced. Only sworn census employees
can see your statements. Data collected are used solely for preparing statistical information. Your Census Reports
Cannot be Used for Purposes of Taxation, Regulation, or Investigation.
(a) Religious body or society , .
(6) Division (association, conference, diocese, presbytery, synod, etc.) ,
(c) Local name of church (or society)
(d) City, town, village, or township, etc
(«) County ...
.... (/) State .
MEMBERSHIP
(See Instructions, pars 1 to 7)
Report number of members according to definition
of member in your church
Number of members, by sex:
1. Male . .. ...
*
A
1
2
3
4
5
6
CHURCH SCHOOLS
(See instructions, para. 25 to 38)
.Report here only schools conducted by this church
Sunday schools:
S5r Number of officers
*
E
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
D
6
7
8
26 Number of teachers
2, Female
3* Total number of members——.. _—.,..—..._._-..
Number of members, by age:
4. Under 13 years of age™.™
27. Number of pupils. ....— — . ..„— . _.—.—._ .,„_....
Summer vacation Bible schools:
28. Number of officers — —
29. Number of teachers........— ._„ .___._. .
6* Total number of members .. ... — .......— .—.. -
30. Number of pupils
Weekday religions schools:
31U Nymh^r "f off?rt«r«r , u „, „ Jm ,_
NOTE —The total given under question 8 should be the same as the total ot
mates and females given under question 3.
7. Average attendance per Sunday.
32. Number of teachers
CHURCH BUILJDINGS
(See instructions, pars 8 to 13)
9. Value of church edifices constructed
prior to 1936.. . ....... $—.—,..
10. Value of church edifices constructed,
11. Debt on church property reported
under inquiries 9 and 10 $
B
1
2
3
4
6
6
C
1
2
3
4
5
6
~D~
33. Number of pupils...... ....... _.....___. ....... ...„.„.„. «
Parochial schools (general educational work) :
34. Number of administrative officers.. _—..„—„. ......
35. Number of teachers:
(a) Elementary (grades 1 to 8)
12. Does church own pastor's residence.. .* ,
13. Value of pastor's residence (if owned (Yw * "^
by church) ... — ....... ......... $.„_..— ....—....,
36. Number of pupils:
(a) Elementary (grades 1 to 8)
EXPENDITURES DURING YEAR
(See Instructions, para. 14 to 34)
14. For pastor's salary..—.....——.——™— $~— — ... .,.„_._
37. Number of buildings.......,...— ....... —.—„—..._ .
38. Value of buildmgB_ $
IS. For all other salaries $
Ifl. For repairs and improvements $
17. For payments on church debt, ex-
PASTOR OR LEADER
(See Ixutractlons, nut 38 to 43)
39. Name of p*Btor
18. For all local^relief and charity, Red
Cross etc $ . — - —
40. Number of ordained nunistera, if
any, employed aa assistant pas-
tors . . . „ ...
19. For all other current expenses, in-
cluding interest.....— ............. I...,.— .........
41. Number of other churches now
served by the pastor or hia as-
20. For home missions ... .... ......... $....—. .—._,—. ...._,
1
2
3
4
5
42. Names and locations of the churches.
<~8«e Instruction. 33)
21. For foreign missions $
(See Instruction 22)
22. Amount sent to general head-
quarters for distribution by them. $
(A separata report should be furnished for each church)
24. Total expenditures during year. $
43. Number of unordained full-time
Period covered by this report :
(Signature of person
furnishing information)
From , 198...
(Official title)
to 193
* Column for Census Office Use Only.
n— iMor
INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETION OF SCHEDULE
Fill out a separate schedule for each church. Additional schedules will be sent to you upon request.
Please answer each question to the best of your ability, sign your name, stating your official title (or your con-
nection with the church or organization) and your post-office address in the spaces provided at tho bottom of the
form. The schedule should be returned promptly in the accompanying official envelope which rccmircs no postage.
Date of census.— This census relates to the year 1930, If your church records are for tho calendar year,
the financial information and membership should be reported as of December 31, 1936. If your church year is
not the same as the calendar year, indicate that fact, in which case tho information, should be reported for your
church year, beginning not later than March 1, 1936. For example,, where the church year begins March 1, the
financial information should be reported for the church year beginning on that date, and membership should bo
reported as of the last day of your church year, February 28, 1937. Indicate the period for which the report is
furnished in the space provided in the lower left-hand corner on the face of the schedule.
Definition, of church. — The term "church" as used by( the Census Bureau represents any organization
for religious worship which has a separate membership, whether it is called a church, congregation, meeting, society,
mission, station, or chapel, etc. This report should also include all organizations of an ethical character which
people regularly attend instead of a church.
MEMBERSHIP
The figures for number of members should Include all persons
who are members of your church according to the definition of
member in your church or organization. In some religious
bodies, the term "member" is limited to communicants; in the
Eastern Orthodox Churches, the Roman Catholic Church, the
Lutheran Church, the Protestant Episcopal Church, and some
others, it includes all baptized persons, and in still other bodies
it covers all enrolled persons.
lt 2, 3. — Give in this section the total number of members
in this church or organization only. Enter under Question 1
tho number of males, under Question 2 the number of females,
and under Question 3 the aum of these two, which wilj represent
the total number of members in your church or organization.
4. — Under Question 4 enter the number of members of Ihis
church who are under 13 years of age. Do not report Sunday-
school scholars here, unless they are also members of the church.
B. — Under Question 5 report the number of members 13
years of age and over.
6. — Under Question 6 give the total number of members (the
sum of the figures reported in answer to Questions 4 and 5).
Please make a careful estimate of the number of members in
each age group if actual figures are not available.
7.-~-Undcr Question 7 report the average attendance at church
per Sunday. This can be arrived at by making a count, as
nearly as possible, of the number of persons present each Sunday
for several Sundays.
CHURCH BUILDINGS
8. — A church "edifice" is a building used mainly for religious
services. If services are held in a hall, school house, or private
house, indicate that fact in reply to Question 8. Such a building
is not a church edifice, and ita value should not be reported
under Question 9.
9. — Report under Question 9 the value of the church edifice,
together with the land on which it stands and all furniture-,
organs, bells, and furnishings owned by the church and actually
used m connection with church services. Do not include here
either the value of buddings hired for church use or of buildings
owned by the church but not used for religious services. Where
parts of the church building are used for social or organization
work in connection with the church, the whole value of tho
building and its equipment should be included, as it is practically
impossible to make any separation in such a case. Tho value
of buildings used for school purposes should be reported under
Question 38,
10. — The total amount of money expended for the construc-
tion of new church buildings should be reported under Question
10. Do not include any of this amount in the value of church
edifices as reported under Question 9. The value given for the
church edifice should be the current market value as nearly
as this can be ascertained.
11. — Give the total debt upon the church edifices reported
under Question 9 and those reported under construction under
Question 10.
13. — The value of the pastor's residence, if owned by the
church, should be reported under Question 13. If actual
figures are not available a carefully prepared estimate will
be accepted.
EXPENDITURES
In this section, report the amounts expended by this church
only during the last calendar or church year. Please indicate the
period covered by this report in the space provided for the pur-
pose in the lower left-hand corner of the schedule.
14. — In answer to Question 14, give the annual salary of the
pastor. If the pastor's salary consists of voluntary contribu-
tions or is made up partly of such contributions, estimate the
value of these contributions and include them in item 14.
15. — Under Question 16 report the total amount paid for all
other salaries, 'including assistant pastors, clerks, the choir,
janitor, and au other salaried employees.
Authority for collection of
Congress approved June 7, 1006. a
schedule, applicable to the religious
not exceeding 00 days, or both? aad 1
8-4070
formation — The Information to bo used as a basis of religious statistics Is collected by
June 18. 1020 These Aots make it the duty of every person (n charge or
. ^Jy, church, or organisation, and upon refusal or neglect to comply, such
it any cuoh person willfully gives falsa wswora, ho is subject to a too not
16. — Question 16 should include all expenditures during the
year for the repair and improvement of the church edifice and
pastor's residence.
17. — The total of all payments made on church debt, not
including interest, should oe given in answer to Question 17.
18.— Under Question 18 report the amount collected and
distributed by this church for local relief, charity and all other
benevoleat purposes This amount should represent the dis-
tribution made by this church In some religious bodies, con-
tributions are given specifically for distribution by the individual
church and it is this amount which should be reported in answer
to this question.
19.— Under Question 19 report all other running expenses
of thia church, including interest on the church debt, which are
necessary to carry on the work of the church during the year.
These items will include rent, fuel, light, expenses of the Sunday
school, and all other maintenance costs.
20, 21. — Under Questions 20 and 21 report tho amount given
by this church ,for homo (or domestic) and foreign missions.
In some religious bodies, an annual assessment, based on the
membership or income of the church, is made for these purposes
and the total amount is sent to headquarters to bo distributed.
If this is tho case and tho figures cannot bo separated, please
answer "None" for Questions 20 and 21 and report in. 22 the
total amount contributed for this purpose.
22. — If a lump sum is sent to general headquarters for all
benevolent purposes, it should be reported under Question 22.
23. — Question 23 should include all other expenses not re-
ported under Questions 14 to 22, inclusive, and together with
these items should represent the total expenditures made by
this church during the fiscal year.
24. — Total expenditures will appear in answer to Question 24.
CHURCH SCHOOLS
Report in this section only schools which are conducted by
this church. If an individual serves as an officer and teacher
in any of the types of school mentioned in this inquiry, be
should be reported under that question which requires tho greater
part of bis time; for example, if a person devotes tho major
portion of his time to teaching and incidentally serves in a
supervisory capacity, he should be reported as a teacher and
not as an official, except in the case of tho Sunday-school super-
intendent who should always be reported as an officer. If tha
church has n6 Sunday school, summer vacation Bible school,
or other type of school named in this inquiry write "None."
27, 30, 33, 36-— -Questions 27, 30, 33, and 36 should repre-
sent the number of enrolled pupils who attend these schoola.
If the church conducts a summer vacation Bible school, or a
week-day religious school, report only the members of this
church who are in attendance
37, 38. — Under Questions 37 and 38 should be reported the
number of buildings used for school purposes, together with their
value. Value of school buildings owned by this church should
be reported under Question 38 and not under Questions 9 or 10.
PASTOR OR LEADER
39.. — in most cases these questions will be self-explanatory.
If your organization is one of those which does not use the term
"pastor", give under Question 39 the name of the person in
charge of the local church or organization, and consider him in
place of the pastor in answering the other questions in this
section.
43. — In many churches there are a number of lay workers
who are employed by the church to carry on its numerous
activities. They may be engaged in welfare work, missions, or
other duties and their total number should be reported under
Question 43.
REMARKS
Under remarks furnish any additional information which
you believe will enable the Bureau to more fully understand
your report.
s collected by tho Census Bureau under authority of Acts of
any religious bod? to answer all questions on tba crlntod
on is subject to a fine not exceeding $600 or to Imprisonment
son moot not excoedtaff ona ywir, or bath
XIV
SEPARATE DENOMINATIONS
STATISTICS, HISTORY, DOCTRINE, ORGANIZATION, AND WORK
ADVENTIST
GENERAL STATEMENT
What is known as the "Advent movement" originated with William Miller,
who was born at Pittsfield, Mass., February 15, 1782, and died in Low Hampton,
N. Y., December 20, 1849. He bore a good reputation as a farmer and citizen,
served as a captain in the War of 1812, and was a diligent student and a great
reader, although he had only a common-school education. For some years he
was an avowed deist, but, as he said, "found no spiritual rest" until, in 1816, he
was converted and united with the Baptists. After his conversion, as objections
to the authenticity and inspiration of the Scriptures were pressed upon him in the
same way that he had formerly pressed them, upon others, he determined to
devote himself to a careful study of the Bible, laying aside commentaries and
using the marginal references and Cruden's Concordance as his only helps. As
a result of this study he became satisfied that the Bible is its own interpreter,
and that it is "a system of revealed truths, so clearly and simply given that the
'wayfaring man, though a fool, need not err therein.7 "
At that time very little was heard from pulpit or press respecting the second
coming of Christ, the general impression being that it must be preceded by the
conversion of the world and the millennium, a long period of universal holiness
and peace. As Mr. Miller studied the prophetic portions of the Bible, he became
convinced that the doctrine of the world's conversion was unscriptural; that
not only the parable of the wheat and the tares, as explained by Christ in Matthew
xiii, 24-30, 36-43, but many other passages, teach the coexistence of Christianity
and anti-Christianity while the gospel age lasts. As the period of a thousand
years, during which Satan is bound, mentioned in Revelation xx, and from which
the conception of the millennium is derived, lies between the first resurrection
(Rev. xx, 4-6), which he understood to include all of the redeemed, and that of
"the rest of the dead" (Rev. xx, 5), his conclusion was that the coming of Christ
in person, power, and glory must be premillennial. He believed that at this
coming there would be a resurrection of all the dead in Christ, who, together
with all the redeemed then alive, would be ' 'caught up to meet the Lord in the
air"; that the wicked would then be judged, and the present heavens and earth
dissolved by fire, to be followed by their regeneration as the inheritance of the
redeemed, involving the glorious, immortal, and personal reign of Christ and all
His saints.
As to the time when the Advent might be expected, Mr. Miller's conclusion
was as follows:
In examining the prophecies * * * I found that only four uni-
versal monarchies are predicted in the Bible to precede the setting up of
God's everlasting kingdom; that three of those had passed away —
Babylon, Medo-Persia, and Grecia — and that the fourth, Rome, ./had
already passed into its last state * * *. And finding all the signs
of the times, and the present condition of the world, to compare har-
moniously with the prophetic description of the last days, I was com-
pelled to believe that the world had about reached the limits of the
period allotted for its continuance.
Moreover, as a result of his study of prophetic chronology, he believed not
only that the Advent was at hand, but that its date might be fixed with some
definiteness. Taking the more or less generally accepted view that the "days"
of prophecy symbolize years, he was led to the conclusion that the 2,300 days
referred to in Daniel viii, 13, 14, the beginning of which he dated from the com-
mandment to restore Jerusalem, given in 457 B. C. (Daniel ix, 25), and the 1,335
days of the same prophet (xii, 12), which he took to constitute the latter part of
the 2,300 days, would end coincidently in or about the year 1843. The cleansing
3
4 CENSUS OF EELIGIOUS BODIES, 1936
of the sanctuary, which was to take place at the close of the 2,300 days (Daniel
viii, 14), he understood to mean the cleansing of the earth at the second coming
of Christ, which, as a result of his computations, he confidently expected would
occur some time between March 21, 1843, and March 21, 1844, the period cor-
responding to the Jewish year.
The public labors of Mr. Miller, according to the best evidence to be obtained,
date from the autumn of 1831, when he accepted an invitation to go to Dresden,
N. Y., to speak on the subject of the Lord's return. He gave several addresses,
with the result that many persons were "hopefully converted." Other invita-
tions quickly followed, and thus began a work which in a few years, though not
without opposition, spread far and wide, ministers and members of various
evangelical denominations uniting in the expectation of the speedy, personal,
and premillennial coming of Christ. The first general gathering of 'those inter-
ested in this subject was held in Boston in October 1840. The call for this gather-
ing simply invited Christians of all denominations to come together to compare
views and to confer as to the best means of promulgating this important truth.
The Advent movement was further assisted by the appearance of a number of
papers, such as the Midnight Cry, the Signs of the Times, and the Trumpet of
Alarm, emphasizing these views.
As the time approached when the coming of Christ was expected there was
widespread interest and elaborate preparation. When the Lord did not come in
the spring of 1844, Mr, Miller published to the world his mistake. However, in
the summer of 1844, Samuel Sheffield Snow, George Storrs, and several other
prominent leaders, began to preach that the second advent of Christ would occur
on October 22, 1844, which was the date that year of the Jewish Day of Atone-
ment. Great numbers of the Adventists eagerly accepted this view. Mr.
Miller and Joshua V. Himes held aloof from any public advocacy of this theory.
But Mr. Miller did write a letter which appeared in the Advent Herald under
date of October 16, 1844, in which he expressed his faith in this October date for
the coming of Christ and announced that if this prediction too should fail, he
would suffer twice as much disappointment as he had experienced before. The
passing of this date without the occurrence of the expected event was a source
of great disappointment to Mr. Miller, as well as to those who had so strongly
advocated it, and their followers. Mr. Miller did not, however, to the end of
his life, change his views with regard to the premillennial character of the Advent
itself, or his belief that "the day of the Lord is near, even at the door/1
In its beginning the Adventist movement was wholly within the existing
churches and there was no attempt to establish a separate denomination. Mr.
Miller himself during the greater part of his work was a Baptist licentiate. In
June 1843, however, the Maine Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
passed resolutions condemning the movement, and from that time considerable
opposition was manifested. In some cases Adventists were forced to leave the
churches of which they were members; in others they withdrew voluntarily, bas-
ing their action, in part, on the command to "come out of Babylon" (Rev. xviii,
4), including under the term "Babylon" not only the Roman Catholic Church,
but the Protestant churches. Mr. Miller and other leaders earnestly deprecated
this interpretation, yet it influenced some to leave the old communions.
The Adventists who, for either of the causes mentioned, withdrew from the
existing churches generally formed organizations of their own, although in some
places they omitted any formal organization, considering either that the time
was too short or that organization was sinful. No definite move was made, how-
ever, toward the general organization of the adherents of the Adventist doctrines
until 1845. In that year, according to an estimate made by Mr. Miller, there
were Advent congregations in "nearly a thousand places, numbering * * *
some fifty thousand believers." A conference was called at Albany, N. Y., in
April 1845, for the purpose of defining their position, and was largely attended,
Mr. Miller being present. A declaration of principles was adopted, embodying
the views of Mr. Miller respecting the personal and premillennial character of
the second advent of Christ, the resurrection of the dead, and the renewal of the
earth as the abode of the redeemed, together with cognate points of doctrine,
which have been summarized as follows :
1. The present heavens and earth are to be dissolved by fire, and new heavens
and a new earth are to be created whose dominion is to be given to "the people
of the saints of the Most High."
ADVENTIST BODIES 5
2. There are but two Advents of the Saviour, both of which are personal and
visible. The first includes the period of His life from His birth to the Ascension;
the second begins with His descent from heaven at the sounding of the last
trump.
3. The second coming is indicated to be near at hand, even at the doors; and
this truth should be preached to saints that they may rejoice, knowing that their
redemption draws nigh; and to sinners that they may be warned to flee from
the wrath to come.
4. The condition of salvation is repentance toward God and faith in the Lord
Jesus Christ. Those who have repentance and faith will live soberly and right-
eously and godly in this world, looking for the Lord's appearing.
5. There will be a resurrection of the bodies of all the dead, both of the just
and the unjust. Those who are Christ's will be raised at His coming; the rest of
the dead, not until a thousand years later.
6. The only millennium taught in the Word of God is the thousand years in-
tervening between the first resurrection and that of the rest of the dead.
7. There is no difference under the gospel dispensation between Jew and Gentile,
but God will render to every man according to his deeds. The only restoration
of Israel is in the restoration of the saints to the regenerated earth.
8. There is no promise of this world's conversion. The children of the king-
dom and of the wicked one will continue together until the end of the world.
9. Departed saints do not enter their inheritance at death, that inheritance
being reserved in heaven ready to be revealed at the second coming, when they
will be equal to the angels, being the children of God and of the resurrection;
but in soul and spirit they enter the paradise of God, to await in rest and com-
fort the final blessedness of the everlasting kingdom.
The somewhat loosely organized body formed at the general conference of
Adventists held at Albany, N. Y., in April 1845 continued for a decade to
include practically all the Adventists except those who held to the observance
of the seventh, rather than the first, day of the week as the Sabbath. In 1855
the discussions, in which Jonathan Cummings had so prominent a part, resulted
in the withdrawal of some members and the subsequent organization of the
Advent Christian Church. The Adventists who continued their adherence to
the original body were for the most part those who believed in the doctrine of
the conscious state of the dead and the eternal suffering of the wicked, claiming
on these points to be in accord with the personal views of Mr. Miller. They,
however, felt the need of closer association, and in 1858 organized at Boston,
Mass., the American Millennial Association, partly for the purpose of publishing
material in support of their belief and partly as a basis of fellowship. Some
years later the members of this society adopted the term " Evangelical Advent-
ists" as a denominational name, with a view to distinguishing themselves from
other bodies with which they differed on doctrinal points.
For some years the association published a periodical bearing at different
periods the names, Signs of the Times, Advent Herald, Messiah's Herald, and
Herald of the Coming One. It contributed to the support of the China Inland
Mission and of laborers and missions in other fields, but as the older members
died many of the younger families joined other evangelical denominations, and
the number of churches and members diminished rapidly. In 1906 they re-
ported 18 organizations with 481 members, 16 church edifices, and $27,050 as
value of church property; 9 Sunday schools with 57 officers and teachers and 264
scholars; and 8 ministers. When the inquiries for the census of 1916 were made, it
appeared that all the churches, except a few in Pennsylvania, had disbanded or
discontinued all services, and from those in Pennsylvania no information could
be obtained. The denomination as an ecclesiastical body has, therefore, been
dropped from this report.
Discussions in regard to the nature of the Advent, and particularly in regard
to the future life, resulted in the formation of other bodies independent in
organization but agreeing in the belief that the Advent is to be personal and
premillennial and is near at hand and in their recognition of the influence of Mr,
Miller and those immediately associated with him.
The denominations grouped under the name Adventist in 1936, 1926, 1916, and
1906 are listed in the summary table following, with the principal statistics as
reported for the four periods. Two bodies listed in 1906 were not included in the
table for 1916 or later censuses. The omission of the Evangelical Adventists is
6
CENSUS OF RELIGIOUS BODIES, 1936
explained in a preceding paragraph. The Churches of God (Adventist), Unat-
tached Congregations, if any of these churches existed in 1936, 1926, or 1916, were
probably included among the independent churches or merged with other Ad-
ventist bodies. The denomination reported prior to 1936 as "Churches of God In
Christ Jesus" is more or less a local name, and it is also known, in some localities,
as "Church of God of the Abrahamic Faith/' An investigation shows the general
conference to be organized under the name "Church of God," but in order to dis-
tinguish it from many other churches of this name the location of its headquarters
is added for definiteness, as "Church of God (Oregon, 111.)."
These statistics were compiled from schedules sent directly to the Bureau by
the pastor or clerk of the individual churches and the data relate to these churches
only.
STTMMAEY OF STATISTICS FOR THE ADVENTIST BODIES, 1936, 1926, 1916, AND 1906
DENOMINATION AND CENSUS YBAB
Total number of churches
Number of members
VALUE OF
CHURCH
EDIFICES
EXPENDITURES
SUNDAY
SCHOOLS
Churches report-
ing
Amount
Churches report-
ing
Amount
Churches report-
Ing
Scholars
1936
Total for the group
3,536
165, 815
1,758
$8,776,620
2,417
$6,574,658
1,845
119,756
Advont Christian Church
346
2,054
45
6
71
14
3,578
26, 258
133, 254
1,250
352
4, 163
538
146, 177
313
1,362
17
5
48
13
1,819
1, 867, 420
0, 690. 955
22, 090
42,500
137, 755
15,300
11,089,449
327
1,973
32
6
65
14
2,336
321, 922
6, 196, 143
9, 732
8,916
36, 308
1,637
7,610,863
288
1, 465
25
4
60
3
1,759
18, 702
97, 062
049
181
2,967
195
102,779
Seventh-day Adventist Denomina-
tion
Church of God (Adventist). .„ - _
Life and, Advent Union
Church of God (Oregon, 111 )
Primitive Advent Christian Church..
1926
Total for the group
Advent Christian Church
444
1,981
58
7
86
2,667
20,430
110,998
1,686
535
3,528
114,915
385
1,363
12
7
52
1,716
2, 310. 000
8,477,999
25, 850
91, 000
164, 600
3, 885, 235
379
1,849
39
6
63
2,240
536, 192
6,998,988
13, 887
19, 861
41,935
2, 180, 588
304
1,383
23
7
42
2,246
18, 80S
81, 067
685
344
1,877
98,802
Seventh-day Adventist Denomina-
tion
Church of God (Adventist) _ _
Life and Advent Union, . .
Churches of God in Christ Jesus . .
1916
Total for the group
Advent Christian Church
534
2,011
22
13
87
2,537
30, 597
79, 355
848
658
3,457
92,735
417
1,231
8
8
52
1,471
1, 188, 070
2, 568, 495
8,200
41, 600
78, 870
2, 425, 209
423
1,737
10
11
59
274,446
1,887,772
2,358
8,996
13, 016
379
1.803
21, 007
74, 863
Seventh-day Adventist Denomina-
tion - - - - -
Church of God (Adventist)
Life and Advent Union
9
65
2,078
439
2, 493
69, 110
Churches of God in Christ Jesus
1906
Total for the group
Evangelical Adventists
18
541
1,884
30
10
12
62
481
26,799
62, 211
354
267
509
2,124
15
428
981
3
2
6
36
27,050
854, 323
1,454,087
4,000
2,300
29, 799
53, 650
9
362
1,656
9
5
7
30
264
16,941
50, 225
326
200
259
895
Advent Christian Church
Seventh-day Adventist Denomina-
tion. . .
Church of God (Adventist)
Churches of God (Adventist), Unat-
tached Congregations
Life and Advent Union
Churches of God in Christ Jesus.—..
ADVENT CHRISTIAN CHURCH
STATISTICS
Summary for the United States, with urban-rural classification, — A general
summary of the statistics for the Advent Christian Church for the year 1936 is
presented in table 1, which shows also the distribution of these figures between
urban and rural territory.
The membership of this denomination consists of those persons who have been
admitted to the local churches, by vote of the members, upon profession of faith
and baptism by immersion.
TABLE 1. — SUMMARY OF STATISTICS FOE CHURCHES IN URBAN AND RURAL
TERRITORY, 1936
ITEM
Total
In urban
territory
In rural
territory
PERCENT OF
TOTAL 1
Urban
Rural
Churches (local organizations), number
346
26, 258
76
10, 310
15, 732
216
65 5
480
23, 606
2,172
2 0
321
313
$1, 867, 420
$1,819,142
$48, 278
$5, 966
51
$129, 023
201
117
105
$318, 992
327
$321 922
$157^ 376
$17, 065
$33, 220
$22, 716
$51, 381
$5, 284
$12,481
$7, 816
$4, 569
$10, 014
$984
288
3,059
18, 702
13
86
887
119
11, 976
101
4,664
7,168
144
65.1
280
10, 750
946
2.5
109
107
$1, 346, 315
$1, 345, 437
$878
$12, 582
40
$115,916
53
55
49
$209, 792
116
$216, 755
$98, 760
$12, 796
$22, 185
$19, 024
$39, 488
$3,054
$7, 850
$5, 411
$2, 757
$5, 430
$1, 869
110
1,433
9,073
10
75
710
227
14, 282
63
5,646
8,564
72
65 9
200
12, 856
1,226
1.5
212
206
$521, 105
$473, 705
$47, 400
$2, 530
11
$13, 107
148
62
56
$109, 200
211
$105, 167
$58, 616
$4, 269
$11, 035
$3, 692
$11, 893
$2, 230
$4, 631
$2, 405
$1, 812
$4, 584
$498
178
1,626
9,629
3
11
177
34.4
45.6
65.6
54.4
Members, number
Average membership per church
Membership by sex:
Male
45.2
45.6
66 7
54 8
54 4
33.3
Female
Sex not reported _ _ . . .
Males per 100 females
Membership by age
Under 13 years
58 3
45.5
43 6
41.7
54.5
56.4
13 years and over .. _ -
Aj?o not reported _ -
Percent under 13 years '
CJvurcl-. edifices number
34.0
34 2
72.1
74.0
1.8
66.0
65.8
27.9
26.0
98.2
Value — number reporting
Amount reported
Constructed prior to 1936
Constructed, wholly or in part, in 1936.
Dobt rmmbor rpnortlnff
Amount reported __ __
89.8
26 4
47.0
46 7
65.8
35.5
67.3
62 8
75.0
66.8
83.7
76.9
57 8
62.9
69.2
60.3
54.2
10.2
73.6
53.0
53.3
34.2
64.5
32 7
37.2
25 0
33 2
16 3
23.1
42.2
37.1
30 8
39.7
45.8
3STtimb<?r reporting "no debt" - --
Value number reporting
Amount reported .._,_.
Expenditures:
Churches reporting number
Amount reported - - - -
Pastors* salaries
All other salaries -
Repairs and improvements - - ------
Payment on church debt, excluding in-
terest _ _ _.
All other current expenses, including in-
terest _ - -
Local relief and charity, Red Cross, etc.-.
H om© missions --
" Iforoipjn missions - -
To general headquarters for distribution-.
All other purposes
A verag e expenditure per church
Sunday schools :
Churches reporting number - ~- - -
38.2
46.8
48.5
61.8
53.2
51.5
Summer vacation Bible schools :
Scholars - - -
80 0
20.6
' Percent not shown where base is less than 100.
2 Based on membership with age classification reported.
7
CENSUS OF RELIGIOUS BODIES, 1936
TABLE 1. — SUMMARY OF STATISTICS FOB CHURCHES IN URBAN AND RURAL
TERRITORY, 1936 — Continued
ITEM
Total
In urban
territory
Tn rural
territory
PERCENT OF
TOTAL l
Urban
Rural
Weekday religious schools :
Churches reporting number
6
18
167
4
67
304
2
6
71
2
31
145
4
12
96
2
36
159
Officers End teachers
Scholars -- -
42.5
57. 5
Parochial schools:
Churches reporting number
Officers and tefichors - -- -
Scholars - - - _____ .
47.7
52. 3
* Percent not shown where ba.so is less than 100.
Comparative data, 1906-36, — Table 2 presents, in con vcnientform for comparison,
a summary of the available statistics of the Advent Christian Church for the
census years 1936, 1926, 1916, and 1906.
TABLE 2. — COMPARATIVE SUMMARY, 1906 TO 1936
ITEM
1936
1936
1916
1906
Churches (local organizations) , number . -------
346
444
534
541
Increase l over preceding census.
Number -
-98
-90
-7
Percent -. - ,
-22.1
-16 9
— 1.3
Members, number - .
26, 258
29, 430
30, 597
26, 790
Increase l over preceding census.
Number - . -
-3, 172
— 1,167
3,798
Percent
—•10.8
-3.8
14.2
Average membership per church _,_ _ _
76
66
57
50
Church edifices, number - - -
321
410
418
428
Value — number reporting.. - „_
313
385
417
428
Amount reported -
$1 867,420
$2, 310, 000
$1, 188, 070
$854, 323
Average value per church - - - -.
$5, 966
$6,000
$2 849
$1, 996
rjeftt; — number reporting . . -
51
54
63
57
Amount reported
$129, 023
$121, 667
$95 970
$78 828
Parsonages, number - - - - -.-
117
Value — number reporting ..
105
111
77
44
Amount reported
$318, 992
$395, 150
$143, 050
$72, 675
Expenditures :
Churches reporting, number _-
327
379
423
Amount reported - -
$321, 922
$536 192
$274 446
Pastors' salaries -. - . - --
$157, 376
All other salaries
$17 065
Repairs and improvements
$33 220
!• $409 241
$233 618
Payment on church debt, excluding interest
All other current expenses, including interest. ._
Local relief and charity. Red Cross, etc
$22, 716
$51, 381
$5, 284
Horn© missions
$12 481
Foreign missions
$7, 816
[ $112,292
$40 828
To general headquarters for distribution
$4, 569
All other purposes
$10 014
Not classified-- -
$14, 659
Average expenditure per church -- -~ - .-.
$984
$1, 415
$649
Sunday schools:
Churches reporting, number
288
304
379
362
Officers and teachers
3 059
2 773
3 134
2 876
Scholars...
18, 702
18, 806
21, 007
16, 941
1 A minus sign (— ) denotes decrease.
State tables, — Tables 3, 4, 5, and 6 present the statistics for the Advent Chris-
tian Church by States. Table 3 gives for each State for 1936 the number and
membership of the churches classified according to their location in urban or
rural territory, membership classified by sex, and data for Sunday schools.
Table 4 gives for selected States the number and membership of the churches for
the four census years 1906 to 1936, together with the membership for 1936
- "-*•> " -~-i t> m_u1-. K
ADVENT CHRISTIAN CHURCH
shows the value of churches and parsonages and debt on church edifices for
1936. Table 6 presents, for 1936, the church expenditures, showing separately
current expenses, improvements, benevolences, etc. In order to avoid disclosing
the financial statistics of any individual church, separate presentation in tables
5 and 6 is limited to those States in which three or more churches reported value
and expenditures.
Ecclesiastical divisions, — Table 7 presents, for each conference in the Advent
Christian Church, the more important statistical data for 1936 shown by States
in the preceding tables, including number of churches, membership, value and
debt on church edifices, expenditures, and Sunday schools.
TABLE 3. — NUMBER AND MEMBEBSHIP OP CHURCHES IN URBAN AND RURAL
TERRITORY, MEMBERSHIP BY SEX, AND SUNDAY SCHOOLS, BY STATES, 1936
GEOGBAPHIC DIVISION
AND STATE
NUMBER OF
CHURCHES
NUMBER OF MEMBERS
MEMBERSHIP BY SEX
SUNDAY
SCHOOI S
"3
1
a
1
*c3
1
I
fl
1
2
(§
•S
1
r2
&
£
*S
?
to
§-
||
sT
Churches re-
porting
Officers and
teachers
Scholars
United States
348
119
7
8
3
23
2
9
5
227
26, 258
11,976
889
652
179
1,798
230
980
300
14, 282
10, 310
898
516
248
747
157
472
289
28
353
100
370
72
290
85
86
125
22
47
362
669
1,501
350
254
879
66
11
81
127
21
154
160
41
36
195
90
408
15, 732
216
"§5~
65.5
61.9
59.6
65.1
60.4
51.6
62.0
67.1
288
3,059
18, 702
NEW ENGLAND:
Maine
36
25
12
28
5
12
12
a
29
17
9
5
3
3
7
3
11
"T
2
7
3
4
3
"I
13
24
26
6
7
16
5
2,349
1,382
629
2,018
461
1,233
720
90
813
250
952
209
726
200
236
299
42
107
794
1,629
4,037
772
635
2,274
162
21
205
263
45
369
370
100
84
490
209
1,083
1,460
730
450
220
231
253
420
90
778
1,451
866
381
1,236
304
761
431
62
460
150
473
137
436
115
150
174
20
60
432
960
2,536
422
381
1,323
96
10
124
136
24
215
210
59
48
295
119
675
31
24
9
27
5
10
11
3
11
1
9
2
7
1
3
3
1
2
11
22
28
6
4
17
3
330
277
118
318
81
167
131
26
80
23
148
28
75
20
35
23
7
19
95
171
227
40
38
155
22
2,019
1,283
477
1,750
505
814
439
125
502
203
826
190
494
107
268
95
22
70
611
1,457
2,026
276
280
1,016
185
New Hampshire
Vermont
Massachusetts
Rhode Island
Connecticut
MIDDLE ATLANTIC:
New York
Pennsylvania
EAST NORTH CENTRAL:
Ohio
12
1
9
4
9
4
4
1
1
6
2
2
1
35
250
789
139
229
126
109"
76.7
66.7
78.2
52.6
66.5
73.9
57.3
71.8
Indiana
Illinois
163
70
497
74
236
299
Michigan
Wisconsin.
WEST NORTH CENTRAL:
Minnesota
Iowa
Missouri
3
Nebraska
1
3
13
1
2
42
95
Kansas . _ ._
12
794
1,138
2,835
726
484
1,098
126
SOUTH ATLANTIC:
Virginia
83.8
69.7
59.2
82.9
66.7
66 4
West Virginia
20
35
7
8
22
7
1
5
4
2
9
1
1
6
2
1
2
491
1,202
46
151
1,176
36
21
68
~72~
North Carolina
South Carolina
Georgia
Florida
EAST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Kentucky
Alabama
3
4
1
3
3
137
263
45
176
266
::::
65.3
93.4
4
1
1
5
3
3
1
5
3
11
28
5
6
40
29
28
8
84
27
150
236
20
25
211
250
185
79
536
179
941
Mississippi
WEST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Louisiana
1
Oklahoma
6
4
3
1
6
3
11
3
1
3
1
3
2
10
193
104
100
84
402
160
1,009
71.6
762
Texas
....
MOUNTAIN:
Idaho
New M!exico
3
1
1
PACIFIC:
Washington
88
49
74
—
66 1
75.6
60.4
Oregon - . -
California
i Ratio not shown wher^e number of females is less than 100.
10
TABLE
[Separate presentation is limited to States having 3 or more churches in either 1936, 1926, 1916, or 1906]
CENSUS OF RELIGIOUS BODIES, 1936
, — NUMBER AND MEMBERSHIP OF CHURCHES, 1906 TO 1936, AND
MEMBERSHIP BY AGE IN 1936, BY STATES
GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION
AND STATE
NUMBER OF
CHURCHES
NUMBER OF MEMBERS
MEMBERSHIP BY AGE, 1036
1936
348
:;::.::.=::
36
25
12
28
5
12
12
3
12
1
9
4
9
4
4
3
1
3
13
26
35
7
8
22
7
1936
444
1916
534
1906
541
1936
1926
1916
1906
CO
,.8
£g
•gR
ID
OT
%&
S£
£!
ll
ia
§-
£23
8£
£•3
PH
United States
26, 258
29, 430
30, 597
26, 799
480
23, 606
2,172
2.0
NEW ENGLAND:
Maine
45
24
15
32
7
14
13
6
15
4
9
5
13
4
5
5
1
5
10
51
43
7
18
27
fl
57
33
19
33
8
19
24
11
17
7
14
12
18
4
10
5
3
7
12
63
23
7
22
25
4
37
40
23
41
7
22
24
11
20
10
17
14
17
5
14
9
6
4
12
36
23
7
14
29
2,349
1,382
629
2,018
461
1,233
720
90
813
250
952
209
726
200
236
299
42
107
794
1,629
4,037
772
635
2,274
162
21
205
263
2,132
1,361
738
2,548
661
1,297
625
175
747
271
1,162
242
645
252
257
318
27
239
481
2,765
4,165
755
1,522
2,323
80
98
227
278
20
334
623
2,575
1,570
1,040
2,780
772
1,550
1,024
350
1,135
618
1,023
325
846
296
502
358
125
341
593
2,629
1,960
789
1,429
1, 954
130
274
296
313
84
215
651
1,610
1,608
1,082
3, 053
761
1,646
1,145
330
782
669
1,054
451
651
349
608
323
305
247
507
1,476
1,388
509
917
1,801
32
17
3
39
1
8
7
2,317
1,157
612
1,913
460
1,057
713
90
602
225
830
150
719
165
205
295
42
106
783
1,493
3,429
753
463
1,818
161
21
121
261
1.4
1.4
.5
2.0
.2
.8
1.0
New Hampshire
208
14
66
Vermont - -
Massachusetts
Rhode Island
Connecticut -. ..
168
MIDDLE ATLANTIC:
New York
P ennsy 1 vania
EAST NOETH CENTRAL:
Ohio
17
25
13
194
2.7
10.0
1.5
Indiana „_ -
Illinois
109
59
Michigan.
Wisconsin. „__
7
1
14
4
1.0
.6
6.4
1,3
WEST NORTH CENTRAL-
Minnesota
34
17
Iowa
Missouri
Nebraska
Kansas
1
11
12
66
19
21
80
1
.9
1.4
.8
1.9
2.5
4.3
4.2
.6
SOUTH ATLANTIC:
Virginia . - ..
West Virginia
124
542
""IsT
376
North Carolina
South Carolina
Georgia _ _.
Florida
EAST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Kentucky
Tennessee
1
5
4
3
4
7
1
8
10
8
7
7
3
4
11
11
10
5
3
18
13
351
413
189
120
502
411
Alabama
4
2
80
3.2
.8
Mississippi
WEST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Arkansas _
Oklahoma
6
4
?!
369
370
100
490
209
1,083
129
10
7
11
24
6
13
4
329
363
89
466
203
1,070
125
30
2.9
1.9
11.0
4.9
2.9
1.2
3.1
Texas
MOUNTAIN:
Idaho - - ...
PACIFIC:
Washington..
6
3
XI
32
7
5
14
4
8
12
13
4
9
10
15
5
514
230
1,052
266
466
323
980
281
410
302
675
155
Oregon.
California
Other States
* Based on membership with age classification reported.
' Includes: Louisiana, 1, and New Mexico, 1.
ADVENT CHEISTIAN CHUKCHI
11
TABLE 5. — VALUE OF CHURCHES AND PARSONAGES AND AMOUNT OF CHURCH
DEBT BY STATES, 1936
[Separate presentation is limited to States having 3 or more churches reporting value of edifices]
GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION AND
STATE
Total
num-
ber of
church-
es
Num-
ber of
church
edifices
VALUE OF CHURCH
EDIFICES
DEBT ON CHURCH
EDIFICES
VALUE Or PAR-
SONAGES
Church-
es re-
porting
Amount
Church-
es re-
porting
Amount
Church-
es re-
porting
Amount
United States
346
321
313
$1,867,420
51
$129, 023
105
$318, 992
28, 750
28, 700
11, 300
32, 000
17,042
48, 500
10,000
NEW ENGLAND:
Maine _
36
25
12
28
5
12
12
3
12
9
4
9
4
4
3
13
26
35
7
8
22
7
5
4
6
4
6
3
11
11
35
23
12
25
5
11
12
3
12
9
3
9
4
4
3
13
23
34
7
6
21
4
3
4
5
3
6
3
11
8
35
23
11
25
5
11
12
3
11
9
3
9
3
4
3
13
22
34
7
6
20
3
3
4
5
3
6
3
11
36
159, 200
129, 500
62, 000
309, 100
65, 737
265, 000
83, 100
4,500
34, 930
98, 800
12, 700
32, 900
30,000
6,200
2,900
15, 550
84, 800
102, 128
19; 400
8,150
60, 025
5,000
3,800
1,950
9, 500
11, 250
50, 000
9, 500
167, 000
22, 800
3
4
9,500
3,675
13
10
5
7
3
7
5
New Hampshire
Vermont
Massachusetts
5
1
6
2
27, 709
500
6,235
3,800
Rhode Island.
Connecticut
MIDDLE ATLANTIC:
New York
Pennsylvania _
EAST NOKTH CENTRAL-
Ohio -,.
1
3
1
3
1
5,000
27, 600
4,256
5,112
850
1
8
1
6
1
3
0
29, 700
0)
18, 100
(9
5,200
Illinois
Michigan
Wisconsin
WEST NORTH CENTRAL:
Minnesota..
Missouri
SOUTH ATLANTIC:
Virginia
2
2
3
4
0)
0)
2,750
8,450
West Virginia .
1
5
1
8,450
3,888
5,300
North Carolina - _ .
South Carolina
Georgia
Florida
2
1,796
7
1
14, 400
0)
KAST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Kentucky
Alabama
TvTississipp i
WEST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Oklahoma
2
2
2
1, 052
950
2,850
Texas .. -
1
4
0)
6,500
PACIFIC:
Washington
Oregon
California
4
2
9,000
1,500
8
3
31,800
25, 800
Other States
i Amount included in figures for "Other States," to avoid disclosing the statistics of any individual
church.
3 Includes: Indiana, I; Nebraska, 1; Kansas, 1; Tennessee, 1; and Idaho, 2,
12
CENSUS OE RELIGIOUS BODIES, 1936
TABLE 6. — CHURCH EXPENDITURES BY STATES, 1936
[Separate presentation is limited to States having 3 or more churches reporting}
GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION AND STATE
Total
number of
churches
EXPENDITURES
Churches
report-
ing
Total
amount
Pastors'
salaries
All other
salaries
Repairs
and im-
. prove-
inonta
United States
346
327
$321, 922
8157,376
19, 850
17, 819
6,954
23, 993
4,409
12, 278
7,148
979
2,074
5, 197
1,400
4,699
1,400
686
175
1,335
5, 548
6,831
2, 405
1,508
6,238
17
250
109
707
1,707
985
5, 422
1,302
11,529
2,422
$17,065
780
1, 521
201
4,061
468
1, 665
579
$33,220
3,512
3, 271
1,190
8,141
492
3,102
682
114
307
922
200
66
489
139
20
466
697
2, 125
515
714
1,596
80
NEW ENGLAND:
Maine
36
25
12
28
5
12
12
3
12
9
4
9
4
4
3
13
2fi
35
7
8
22
7
5
4
6
4
3
6
3
11
8
36
24
11
28
5
11
12
3
11
9
3
9
4
4
3
13
21
34
7
7
17
5
&
3
5
4
3
6
3
11
1 7
36, 423
30, 834
11, 609
60, 566
8, 153
27, 462
12, 317
1,408
3,871
11, 094
2,866
9,120
3,462
2,160
365
2, 755
8, 0-43
15, 586
4,224
2,602
12, 305
1,292
322
289
2,217
3,360
1,284
12, 019
2,214
27, 659
4,041
New Hampshire
Vermont
Massachusetts _- - ......
Rhode Island ~
Connecticut -
MIDDLE ATLANTIC:
Now York
Pennsylvania. -
EAST NORTH CENTRAL:
Ohio -
212
760
Illinois . .
Michigan . .
Wisconsin
639
700
8
20
139
627
761
27
104
274
12
10
WEST NORTH CENTRAL:
Minnesota
Iowa - ---
Missouri
SOUTH ATLANTIC:
Virginia
West Virginia -- . -.. .
North Carolina
South Carolina . _-_.
Georgia - - - --
Florida—
EAST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Kentucky _ -.»
Alabama - -„
Mississippi «...
155
515
725
81
820
201
1, 783
100
WERT SOUTH CENTRAL:
Oklahoma .„ .-.
112
72
94
902
48
1,981
288
Texas . .. _ .
MOUNTAIN:
Idaho ..
PACIFIC-
Washington
Oregon _ .-.
California-.
Other States
i Includes: Indiana, 1; Nebraska, 1; Kansas, 2; Tennessee, 1; Louisiana, 1; and Now Mexico, 1,
ADVENT CHRISTIAN CHUECH
13
TABLE 6. — CHURCH EXPENDITURES BY STATES, 1936 — Continued
[Separate presentation is limited to States having 3 or more churches reporting]
EXPENDI
TURES— CO
ntinued
GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION AND
STATE
Payment
n church
debt, ex-
cluding
interest
Other
current
expenses,
includ-
ing in-
terest
Local
relief
and
charity
Home
missions
Foreign
missions
To gen-
eral head-
quarters
All other
purposes
United States . „ _
$22, 716
851 381
$5 284
$12 481
$7 816
$4 569
$10, 014
fsw ENGLAND:
Maine _
2,803
4,931
367
871
985
648
1,676
New Hampshire
800
4,308
753
661
571
216
914
Vermont .- -
210
1 237
104
328
318
577
490
Massachusetts
8,109
10. 374
829
2 009
1 439
794
817
Rhode Island
1 607
383
197
252
45
300
Connecticut
956
6 984
346
949
395
410
377
MIDDLE ATLANTIC:
New York
225
2 238
132
311
318
93
591
Pennsylvania
108
22
123
62
2AST NOETII CENTRAL:
Ohio -
960
88
145
5
80
Illinois -
75
3 374
132
230
164
240
Michigan
847
212
6
201
"Wisconsin
753
1,584
159
174
374
260
412
VEST NORTH CENTRAL:
Minnesota ---
75
446
30
202
77
16
27
Iowa -
699
330
90
1
1
123
83
Missouri -
73
10
18
5
44
OUTH ATLANTIC :
Virginia
80
246
50
202
57
23
157
West Virginia
115
234
103
142
10
71
496
North Carolina
1 753
976
471
1,580
178
66
845
South Carolina
360
450
35
246
106
80
Georgia » ,
13
26
75
66
3
25
68
Florida
557
1,256
229
1,230
424
131
370
SAST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Kentucky
15
640
10
18
500
Alabama
12
50
[Mississippi
25
I?VEST SOUTH CENTRAL:
387
246
10
55
185
Texas
180
355
90
201
20
10
MOUNTAIN:
Idaho
57
15
28
24
PACIFIC:
Washington - -
700
1,992
262
406
138
843
534
96
219
4
74
250
20
California
3,483
4,623
397
1,844
1,426
188
405
Other StatGiS. ,
272
648
111
23
117
20
40
14
CENSUS OF RELIGIOUS BODIES, 1936
TABLE 7. — NUMBER AND MEMBERSHIP OF CHURCHES, VALUE AND DEBT ON
CHURCH EDIFICES, EXPENDITURES, AND SUNDAY SCHOOLS, BY CONFERENCES,
1936
CONFERENCE
Total number of
churches
Number of members
VALUE OF
CHURCH
EDIFICES
DEBT ON
CHURCH
EDIFICES
EXPENDI-
TURES
SUNDAY
SCHOOLS
Churches re-
porting
Amount
Churches re-
porting
Amount
Churches re-
porting
Amount
Churches re-
porting
Scholars
Total
346
26,258
313
$1,867,420
51
$129,023
327
$321, 922
288
18, 702
Catsldlls -...
3
14
7
10
2
17
8
8
1
36
24
1
3
4
4
10
25
6
5
5
7
1
3
11
6
19
6
6
23
2
1
6
10
1
5
24
4
8
10
207
1,437
162
1,073
130
2,380
456
444
45
2,349
1, 709
59
231
200
263
650
1,382
325
205
329
844
14
90
801
369
1,920
483
754
2,114
108
250
265
706
21
454
1,464
443
356
760
3
14
3
10
16
7
7
10, 000
303, 500
5,000
26,400
0)
34,578
57,000
32, 500
1
6
500
6, 235
14
r
10
1
16
8
7
1
36
24
1
2
4
3
9
24
6
5
5
7
1
3
10
5
19
5
6
18
2
1
6
10
1
5
22
4
8
10
1,338
31, 958
1,292
6,498
0
5,543
10, 228
6,487
0)
36, 423
55, 106
CO
(0
3,462
289
3,197
30, 834
6,837
322
7,858
10, 194
0)
1,408
3,841
2,217
11,944
8, 153
19, 801
10, 638
0)
0)
723
2,444
0)
3,601
7,661
10, 453
5,064
9,905
6,203
2
13
3
8
1
12
7
6
1
31
23
1
1
1
1
9
24
6
4
5
7
48
989
185
456
120
969
343
333
25
2,019
1,506
70
40
107
20
455
1,283
261
236
264
690
Connecticut and western
Massachusetts
Cumberland Valley (Ken-
tucky)
East Georgia and South Caro-
lina -.-- -
1
1
2
1
5, 300
4,256
838
3,300
Eastern Michigan
Eastern North Carolina
Hoosick Valley .,.
International
Louisiana
Maine
35
22
1
1
3
4
8
23
6
3
5
7
159, 200
270, 000
(')
(0
30, 000
1,950
16, 100
129,500
45, 600
3,800
51,000
92,300
3
5
9, 500
27, 709
Massachusetts . ~-
Michigan
Middl0 Georgia
Minnesota
1
850
Mississippi
Missouri Valley
2
4
1,500
3,675
New Hampshire
NGW York and Ontario
Northeastern Alabama
Northern California
2
3
2,300
27, 600
Northern Illinois
Northern Indiana and south-
ern Michigan
Northwestern Pennsylvania. _.
Ohio
3
10
5
19
5
6
21
2
1
5
10
1
3
21
4
7
10
4,500
34, 230
9,500
71, 550
65, 737
116, 000
56,425
8
5,250
12,800
0)
11,250
83, 000
46, 500
18, 500
35, 900
27,250
3
10
5
17
5
6
17
2
1
6
8
125
478
211
1, 193
505
677
940
130
203
339
471
1
2
3
1
2
2
5,000
1, 052
3,050
500
6,700
1,796
Oklahoma
Piedmont.. *_ . ..
Khode Island and eastern
Connecticut
Southern California
Southern Georgia and Florida-
Southern Illinois
Southern Indiana
Southwestern Virginia and
southern Virginia
Virginia
West Tennessee, north Mis-
sissippi, and eastern Arkansas.
West Texas
2
1
2
950
8,450
2,850
4
20
4
7
7
329
1,282
513
387
494
West Virginia
West Washington and British
Columbia
Willamette Valley
Wisconsin
3
5,112
Combinations
1 Amount included in figures on the line designated
of any individual church.
"Combinations," to avoid disclosing the statistics
ADVENT CHRISTIAN CHURCH 15
HISTORY, DOCTRINE, AND ORGANIZATION 1
DENOMINATIONAL HISTORY
The disappointment felt by the Adventists at the passing of October 22, 1844,
the date set by S. S. Snow for the second advent of Christ, resulted in confusion and
much discussion as to the accuracy of the calculations. In 1852, Jonathan Cum-
mings, F. H. Berick, and several others, mostly young men who had recently
joined the Advent movement, began to teach that the Lord had bestowed upon
them the "high and distinguishing gift of understanding the time" for the coming
of Christ, which they claimed would be in the autumn of 1853 or the spring of
1854. Inasmuch as this view was not acceptable to the main body of Adventists,
a paper was started in Lowell, Mass., and named The World's Crisis, for the
advocacy of this 1854-time argument. This caused a division among the Advent-
ists. When 1854 passed without bringing the end of the age the men who had
led the movement admitted their mistake, and it was hoped that their followers
would rejoin the original body.
By this time, however, a well-marked difference of opinion had developed
among the Adventists in reference to the immortality of the soul. The followers
of Mr. Cummings had for the most part accepted the doctrine that man is by
nature wholly mortal and is unconscious in death, and that immortality is not
inherent in mankind, but is the gift of God to be bestowed in the resurrection on
those only who have been true followers of Christ. The main body of Adventists,
on the other hand, accepted, in general, the doctrine of the conscious state of the
dead and the eternal suffering of the wicked. Owing largely to this difference,
which they considered to be upon a vital point, when a general conference met
at Boston, June 5, 1855, the followers of Mr. Cummings did not unite in it, but
held a conference of their own on the same day. From this time the separation
between the two bodies was definitely recognized. Those who had separated
from the main body organized the Advent Christian Association at Worcester,
Mass., November 6, 1861, and have since borne the name "Advent Christian
Church/' This branch of the Adventists now holds simply to the general im-
minence of Christ's return, but takes the position that no man knoweth the
day nor the hour wherein the Son of Man cometh." They also emphasize that
side of their faith which deals with the nature of man.
DOCTRINE
The Declaration of Principles held by this church, as unanimously approved
by the Advent Christian Association and General Conference of America, in
1900, emphasizes the following points:
1. The Bible is the Word of God, containing a revelation given to man under
divine supervision and providence; its historical statements are correct, and it is
the only divine standard of faith and practice.
2. As revealed in the Bible, (a) there is one God, the Father, Creator of all
things; (6) Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, came into the world, died
for man's sins, was raised for his justification, ascended into heaven as the High
Priest and Mediator, and will come again to judge the living and the dead, and
reign forever and ever; (c) the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, sent from God to
convince the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment, sanctifies man and
seals him unto the day of redemption.
3. Man was created for immortality, but through sin has forfeited his divine
birthright, and only through faith in Christ can become partaker of the divine
nature and live forever. '
4. Death is, to all persons, righteous and wicked, a condition of unconscious-
ness, to remain unchanged until the resurrection at Christ's second coming, when
the righteous will receive everlasting life, while the wicked will be "punished with
everlasting destruction," suffering complete extinction of being.
5. Salvation is free to all who in this life and age accept the conditions, all
hope of future probation or universal salvation being excluded.
6. Jesus Christ, according to His promise, will, "in like manner" as He^went
into heaven, come again to this earth to reign forever, and this coming is the
hope of the church, inasmuch as upon it depend the reward of the righteous, the
abolition of sin, and the renewal of the earth to become the eternal home of the
redeemed.
i This statement, which is substantially the same as that published in vol. II of the Keport on Religious
Bodies, 1926, has been revised by Rev. C. H. Hewitt, secretary of the Advent Christian General Conference
of America, Aurora, 111., and approved by him in its present form.
16 CENSUS OF KELIGIOTTS BODIES, 1936
7. Bible prophecy indicates the approximate time of Christ's return, and the
great duty of the hour is the proclamation of this soon-coming redemption.
8. The church, an institution of divine origin, includes all Christians of what-
ever name, but the local organization should be independent of outside control,
subject to no dictation of priest, bishop, or pope, although recognizing true
fellowship and unity of action.
9. The only ordinances recognized are baptism and the Lord's Supper, im-
mersion being considered the only true baptism, Admission to the church is by
vote of the majority after baptism arid profession of faith. Open communion is
practiced and the invitation to the Lord's Supper is general, participation being
left to the individual,
10. The first day of the week, set apart by the early church in commemoration
of the resurrection, is held to be the proper Christian Sabbath, to be observed as
a day of rest and religious worship.
11. War as a means of settling international disputes is held to be contrary to
the spirit and teachings of Christ, contrary to the spirit of true brotherhood, and
inimical to the welfare of humanity. Christians are justified in refusing to bear
arms for conscience' sake.
ORGANIZATION
In accordance with the principles outlined, the Advent Christian Church is
congregational in church government, each church being absolutely independent
in its own management. Local elders (not ordained) and deacons are elected
annually, as are the various officials and committees. The elders have charge
of the religious services when the church has no pastor, and the deacons care for
the poor and serve as bearers at the communion service, which is usually held each
month. Women equally with men are eligible to office.
For fellowship and the better conduct of such work as belongs to them in com-
mon, the churches are associated in annual conferences, which are grouped in
five districts, while the Advent Christian General Conference represents the
entire denomination. According to the constitution adopted at Boston, May 20,
1915, the object of this conference is: To advance the interests of and unify the
Advent Christian people in their various branches of work; hold biennial sessions
for the transaction of business and the discussion of questions of interest to the
churches; devise the best methods for the conduct of the finances of the churches
and the cooperating societies; cooperate with the churches in securing pastors
and in utilizing the services of worthy men; act as a board of appeal; establish a
bureau of statistics; publish a biennial manual; and deal with any matters affecting
the welfare of the churches.
The membership of the General Conference consists of delegates chosen by
the annual conferences, one for each conference, and one for each 400 members
of the conference churches above the first 400, together with the officers and one
delegate from each cooperating society.
The organization of the General Conference as of 1936 includes as officers a
president, five vice presidents (who serve as regional superintendents of con-
ference work in the five districts), a secretary, who serves as the executive of
the conference, and a treasurer. In each of the five regions there is a board of
councilors, the vice president for each region being the chairman of the regional
board. The national officers named above constitute an executive committee
which has full charge of the General Conference activities between biennial
sessions. The General Conference acts in an advisory capacity only, but there
is a growing tendency to recognize its leadership in general denominational life.
The General Conference headquarters are in Boston, Mass.
There is one publication house located in each of the following cities: Boston,
Mass., Oakland, Calif., and Live Oak, Fla.
Ordination to the ministry rests with the conferences. It takes place on
request of a church, after examination of the applicant by a committee, vote of
the conference, and the appointment of an ordaining committee. The minister
becomes a member of the conference which ordained him. In the reception of
ministers from other bodies previous ordination is accepted.
ADVENT CHKISTIAKT CHURCH 17
WORK
The denominational activities of the Advent Christian Church are carried on
mainly through the American Advent Mission Society, the Woman's Home and
Foreign Mission Society, four publication societies, and regional organizations.
The American Advent Mission Society, which does both home and foreign
mission work, is incorporated and operates under the General Conference,
although it is independent in its organization. Its officers are elected by delegates
from the various churches and conferences, and its meetings are held annually.
The Woman's Home and Foreign Mission Society is also independent of the
General Conference in organization and operates similarly. This organization
is made up of local societies connected with the various churches. Its officers
are elected annually by delegates from the local societies. The foreign program
of this society is confined to India, and its home work is chiefly in the interest
of a home for students of the New England School of Theology. There is a West-
ern Home Mission Board which does about the same work in the Middle West
that the American Advent Mission Society does in the East, except that its
sphere is confined to home missions. There is also a woman's society called the
Helper's Union and Central Mission Branch, doing both home and foreign mission
work. The number of missionaries and evangelists employed during the year was
30 and the number of churches aided, 50. Contributions of more than $75,000
were received. A large part of the home missionary and philanthropic work
is done by the State conferences.
In the foreign field, 9 stations are occupied, in addition to 26 out-stations, in
India, China, and Japan. The report for 1936 shows 11 American missionaries,
with a force of well over 100 native evangelists, teachers, and colporteurs con-
stantly employed with the missionaries at the various stations; 23 churches with
2,273 members; 2 training schools, an industrial school, 2 secondary schools, 17
elementary schools, and several night schools in India, besides an academy, a
girls' school, and several elementary schools in China; a hospital, a nursing home,
5 dispensaries and rural clinics, and 3 orphanages. The value of property on
the foreign field is estimated at $133,361.
Two educational institutions, for which over $10,000 in addition to proceeds
from endowment and personal gifts were contributed in 1936, are carried on
under their auspices in the United States. They include a college at Aurora, 111.,
and a theological school at Boston. The two institutions reported 230 students
and property valued at $381,761, including an endowment of over $300,000,
which it is hoped will be increased to $500,000. The denomination maintains one
orphanage in the South, and, in connection with it, a home for the aged; there
is also a home for the aged in New England. The southern property, at Bowling
Park, Fla., consisting of two new fireproof buildings and several frame buildings,
is valued at $75,000, and $10,000 was contributed for its support in 1936. The
New England property at South Vernon, Mass., consists of a commodious build-
ing of 27 rooms and about 3 acres of land, valued at about $10,000.
The young people of the denomination are organized in a Young People's
Loyal Workers Society, which in 1936 included 135 branches, with a membership
of 3,352.
SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST DENOMINATION
STATISTICS
Summary for the United States, with urban-rural classification. — A general
summary of the statistics for the Seventh-day Adventist Denomination for the
year 1936 is presented in table 1, which shows also the distribution of these
figures between urban and rural territory.
The membership of this denomination consists of those persons who have
been baptized, by immersion, and received into full membership in the local
churches upon profession of faith.
TABLE 1. — SUMMARY OF STATISTICS FOR CHURCHES IN URBAN AND RURAL
TERRITORY, 1936
ITEM
Total
In urban
territory
In rural
territory
PERCENT OF
TOTAL *
Urban
Rural
Ch.urch.es (local organizations), number ._-_
2,054
133. 254
65
43, 185
86, 838
3,231
49.7
3, 596
122, 368
7,290
2.9
1,451
1,362
$6, 690, 955
$0, 463, 299
$227, 656
$4, 913
195
$487,404
989
49
35
$117, 089
1,973
$6, 196, 143
$16, 652
$181,752
$136, 302
$86, 534
$285, 876
$100, 591
$202, 453
$580, 037
$4,427,039
$178, 927
$3, 140
1,153
90,417
84
29, 065
64, 420
2,932
45.1
2,691
87, 555
6,171
3.0
832
779
$5, 646, 358
$5,487,117
$159, 241
$7, 248
162
$470, 966
521
37
25
$107, 089
1,109
$4, 814, 000
$11, 963
$146, 773
$106, 635
$76, 119
$246, 747
$80, 186
$155, 539
$457, 446
$3, 394, 818
$137, 774
$4, 341
001
36, 837
41
14, 120
22,418
299
63.0
005
34, 813
1,119
2.5
619
583
$1,044,597
$976. 182
$68, 415
$1, 792
33
$16, 438
468
12
10
$10, 000
864
$1,382,143
$4, 089
$34, 979
$29, 667
$10, 415
$39, 129
$20,405
$46, 914
$122, 591
$1,032,201
$41, 153
$1, 600
56.1
72.4
43.9
27. 6
Members , number
Average membership per church, „ .
Membership by sex:
Malc__ *, _, - ,,__„
67,3
74.2
90.7
32.7
25. 8
9.3
Female -
Sex not reported ,. __ -.
Males per 100 females
Membership by ago:
Under 13 years
74.8
71.6
84.7
25.2
28.4
15.3
13 years and over
Age not reported
Percent under 13 years 2
Church edifices, number ._
57.3
57,2
84.4
84.9
69.9
42.7
42.8
15. 6
15.1
30.1
Value — number reporting
Amount reported
Constructed prior to 1036
Constructed, wholly or in part, in 193G-
Aver&Eje value per church
Debt — n umber reporting.. _ _ __
83.6
96. 6
52. 7
16.4
3.4
47.3
Amount reported «„ _ ..>.
Number reporting "no debt" _
Parsonages, number
Value — number reporting
Amount reported
01. 5
56. 2
77.7
71.8
80.8
78.2
88.0
86.3
79.7
76.8
78.9
76.7
77.0
8.5
43,8
22.3
28,2
19.2
21.8
12.0
13.7
20.3
23.2
21.1
23.3
23.0
Expenditures:
Churches reporting, number
Amount reported
Pastors' salaries
All other salaries ,
Repairs and improvements
Payment on church debt, excluding in-
terest
All other current expenses, including in-
terest
Local relief and charity, Red Cross, etc. _, .
Home missions
Foreign missions
To general headquarters for distribution..
All other purposes
Average expenditure per church.-
1 Percent not shown where base is less than 100.
3 Based on membership with age classification reported.
18
SEVENTH-DAY ADVENIIST DENOMINATION
19
TABLE 1. — SUMMARY OF STATISTICS FOR CHURCHES IN URBAN AND RURAL
TERRITORY, 1936 — Continued
ITEM
Total
In urban
territory
In rural
territory
PERCENT OF
TOTAL 1
Urban
Rural
Sabbath scliools :
Churches reporting, number „_
1,465
19, 823
97,062
9
71
307
122
612
2,787
569
3,264
16, 438
845
13, 078
67, 920
4
33
146
84
451
2,150
379
2,253
11, 172
620
6,745
29, 142
5
38
161
38
161
637
190
1,011
5,266
57.7
66.0
70.0
42.3
34.0
30.0
Officers and teachers .
Scholars _ .
Summer vacation Bible schools :
Churches reporting, number
Officers and teachers
Scholars
47.6
68.9
73.7
77.1
66.6
69.0
68.0
52.4
31.1
26.3
22.9
33.4
31.0
32.0
Weekday religious scliools :
Churches reporting, number
Officers and teachers _
Scholars ..
Parochial schools :
Churches reporting, number
Officers and teachers
Scholars
* Percent not shown where base is less than 100.
Comparative data, 1906-36. — Table 2 presents, in convenient form for com-
parison, a summary of the available statistics of the Seventh-day Adventist
Denomination for the census years 1936, 1926, 1916, and 1906.
TABLE 2. — COMPARATIVE SUMMARY, 1906 TO 1936
ITEM
1936
19S6
1916
1906
Ch.Tirch.es (local orcaiiiftatiQTis), number , -, , .,„,-..
2,054
73
3.7
133, 254
22, 256
20.1
65
1,451
1,362
$6, 690, 955
$4, 913
195
$487, 404
40
35
$117, 089
1,973
$6, 196, 143
$16, 652
$181, 752
$136, 302
$86, 534
$285, 876
$100, 591
$202, 453
$580, 037
$4, 427, 019
$178, 927
1,981
-30
1.5
2,011
127
6.7
79, 355
17, 144
27.6
39
1,231
1,231
$2, 568, 495
$2, 087
240
$209, 154
1,884
Increase l over preceding census:
Number - -
Percent - - - - -«-
Members, number - - . ,
110, 998
31, 643
39.9
56
1,399
1,363
$8, 477, 999
$6, 220
261
$908, 352
62,211
Increase over preceding census:
Number -
Percent
Average membership per church «
33
981
981
$1, 454, 087
$1, 482
121
$77, 984
Value—number reporting
Amount reported
Average value per church
"Debt — number reporting
Amount reported -- , -
Value number reporting
36
$182, 600
1,849
$6, 998, 988
$1, 291, 018
l$5, 647, 948
$60, 022
$3, 785
1,383
14,972
81, 067
16
$20,450
1,737
$1, 887, 772
$476, 524
$1,411,248
14
$14, 165
Amount reported <
Expenditures :
oflurcnes ™t ori g, o
Pastors' salaries. , -
All other salaries -
Kepairs and improvements
Payment on church debt, excluding interest —
All other current expenses, including interest. _.
Local relief and chanty, Red Cross, etc _ -
Home missions - --- -----
Foreign missions _____ ___
To general headquarters for distribution
All other purposes - __-_«- _
Not classified
Average expenditure per church
Sabbath schools :
Churches reporting number -- ------------
$3,140
1,465
19, 823
97, 062
$1, 087
1,803
15, 298
74,863
1,656
11, 033
50, 225
Officers and teachers - ,
i A minus sign (— ) denotes decrease.
275318 — 41 3
20
CENSUS OF KELIGIOUS BODIES, 1936
State tables. — Tables 3, 4, 5, and 6 present the statistics for the Seventh-day
Adventist Denomination by States. Table 3 gives for each State for 1936 the
number and membership of the churches classified according to their location in
urban or rural territory, membership classified by sex, and data for Sabbath
schools. Table 4 gives for each State the number and membership of the churches
for the four census years 1906 to 1936, together with the membership for 1936
classified as "under 13 years of age" and "13 years of age and over." Table 5
shows the value of churches and parsonages and the amount of debt on church
edifices for 1936. Table 6 presents, for 1936, the church expenditures, showing
separately current expenses, improvements, benevolences, etc.
Ecclesiastical divisions. — Table 7 presents, for each conference in the Seventh-
day Adventist Denomination, the more important statistical data for 1936
shown by States in the preceding tables, including number of churches, member-
ship, value and debt on church edifices, expenditures, and Sabbath schools.
TABLE 3. — NTJMBER AND MEMBERSHIP OF CHURCHES IN URBAN AND RURAL
TERRITORY, MEMBERSHIP BY SEX, AND SABBATH SCHOOLS, BY STATES, 1936
GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION
AND STATE
NUMBER OF
CHURCHES
NUMBER OF
MEMBERS
MEMBERSHIP BY SEX
SABBATH
SCHOOLS
3
e
a
1
P
-3
1
•a
I
§
•8
p
rt
£
r-2
£
*
i!
%*
CQ
Males per 100
females
Churches re-
porting
Officers and
teachers
Scholars
United States
2,054
1.158
901
133,254
96,417
36,837
43, 185
86, 838
3,231
49.7
1,465
19, 823
97,062
NEW ENGLAND:
Mains
23
11
16
33
8
17
76
35
77
66
54
68
150
81
65
58
41
45
28
48
48
5
24
4
33
12
31
16
23
60
21
44
21
22
5
7
6
28
5
14
54
32
50
46
35
52
63
37
34
33
20
9
11
21
26
3
13
4
17
10
19
11
17
44
12
25
12
14
18
4
10
5
3
3
22
3
27
20
19
16
87
44
31
25
21
36
17
27
22
2
11
"~16
2
12
5
6
16
9
19
9
8
740
318
384
2,801
406
592
5,620
1,690
4,058
4,222
3, 026
4,666
9,395
3,040
4,124
2,434
2, 529
1,741
1,178
3,102
2,312
242
2,723
887
1,631
590
1,239
429
1,335
4,023
1,075
3,040
926
777
292
201
170
2,209
347
565
4,961
1,618
3,354
3,256
2,592
4,017
6,170
1,490
3,426
1,845
1,915
348
626
2,486
1,539
182
2,299
887
1,029
635
769
334
1,196
3,474
853
1,881
728
518
448
117
214
592
59
27
659
72
704
966
434
649
3,225
1,550
698
589
614
1,393
652
616
773
60
424
""602
65
470
95
139
549
222
1,169
198
259
225
92
137
854
109
174
1,835
558
1,314
1,303
831
1,317
3,034
1,067
1,445
776
728
708
424
734
748
82
971
174
484
134
368
124
373
1,100
267
907
278
235
515
226
247
1,947
297
383
3,785
1,132
2,744
2,919
2,195
3,176
6,337
1,973
2,679
1,648
1,801
1,033
754
1,538
1, 564
160
1,752
508
1,147
366
871
305
944
2,788
759
1,558
648
542
"""35
43.7
40 7
55.5
43.9
36.7
45.4
48,5
49.3
47.9
44.6
37,9
41.5
47.9
54.1
53.9
47.1
40.4
68.5
56.2
47.7
47.8
51.3
55.4
34.3
42.2
36.6
42.3
40.7
39.5
41.6
35.2
58.2
42.9
43.4
18
7
10
19
6
13
50
24
59
42
39
44
105
62
38
39
31
28
21
31
30
4
18
2
29
9
23
8
19
47
15
37
16
16
143
76
01
334
71
107
721
287
692
550
500
706
1,525
536
406
441
364
274
237
324
340
51
314
84
312
92
217
47
232
658
197
497
168
178
561
203
247
1, 850
362
466
3,766
1,290
3,297
3,070
2,210
3,261
7,607
2,116
1,713
1,786
1,976
1,367
1,128
1, 295
1,680
211
2,191
350
1,615
395
996
195
1,086
3,505
781
2,516
761
721
New Hampshire
Vermont . -~
Massachusetts
Rhode Island. _.
Connecticut - -
MIDDLE ATLANTIC:
New York
New Jersey
Pennsylvania
""l73
24
"""16
""830
""205
"""90
"""18
75
49
575
EAST NORTH CENTRAL:
Ohio
Indiana .
Illinois
Michigan
Wisconsin . _ - -
WEST NORTH CENTRAL:
Minnesota
Iowa
Missouri
North Dakota
South Dakota .. -_
Nebraska
Kansas-.-. ..-
SOUTH ATLANTIC:
Delaware
Maryland
District of Columbia.
Virginia - ..
West Virginia
North Carolina
South Carolina
Georgia.
Florida
EAST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Kentucky .
Tennessee
Alabama ...»
Mississiooi
SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST DENOMINATION
21
TABLE 3. — NUMBER AND MEMBERSHIP OF CHURCHES IN URBAN AND RURAL
TERRITORY, MEMBERSHIP BY SEX, AND SABBATH SCHOOLS, BY STATES, 1936 —
Continued
GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION
AND STATE
NUMBER OF
CHURCHES
NUMBEE OP
MEMBERS
MEMBERSHIP BY SEX
SABBATH
SCHOOLS
s
&
fl
1
b
(§
5
3
22
22
12
18
7
27
8
4
1
1
69
46
81
*e3
"o
&
fS
3
3
•3
%
48
s
2
fs
02
Males per 100
females
Churches re-
porting
|e
Q S?
0
Scholars
WEST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Arkansas
23
14
41
67
24
31
11
49
14
13
7
4
108
76
208
18
11
19
45
12
13
4
22
6
9
6
3
39
30
127
1,022
790
2,099
4,102
917
1,875
373
2,754
484
1,002
279
141
7,808
6,569
25, 744
834
742
1,228
2,737
492
1,287
208
1,916
246
899
262
132
4,314
4,310
18, 698
188
48
871
1,365
425
588
165
838
238
103
17
9
3,494
2.259
7 046
325
191
664
1,345
300
602
123
925
187
372
81
45
2,812
2,317
8,926
697
599
1,435
2,757
563
1,048
250
1,765
297
630
198
96
4,846
4,136
16, 280
46.6
31 9
46.3
48 8
53 3
57.4
49.2
52.4
63.0
59.0
40 9
C1)
58.0
56,0
54 8
19
12
26
52
17
22
10
35
10
8
4
3
84
57
147
243
137
328
669
179
281
92
442
140
131
60
28
1,156
923
3,272
879
593
1,453
2,431
772
1,212
337
2,243
327
702
156
143
5,594
4,952
18, 714
Louisiana
Oklahoma
Texas
MOUNTAIN:
Montana
54
225
"~64
150
116
538
Idaho
Wyoming —
Colorado
New Mexico
Arizona
Utah
Nevada
PACIFIC:
Washington
Oregon
California
1 Ratio not shown where number of females is less than 100.
TABLE 4. — NUMBER AND MEMBERSHIP OF CHURCHES, 1906 TO 1936, AND MEM-
BERSHIP BY AGE IN 1936, BY STATES
GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION AND
STATE
NUMBER 0?
CHURCHES
NUMBER OF MEMBERS
MEMBERSHIP BY AGE,
1936
1936
1926
1916
1906
1936
1936
1916
1906
CO
7! m
<s> 5j
1"
§1
-i
TH OJ
§43
14
II
oS
£q
Pn3
"United States
2,054
1,981
2,011
1,884
133, 254
110, 998
79, 355
82, 211
3.596
122, 388
7,290
2.9
NEW ENGLAND:
3VJ aine - -
23
11
16
33
8
17
76
35
77
66
54
68
150
81
65
58
41
45
28
48
48
16
7
13
36
6
13
81
42
73
66
55
60
138
79
66
79
37
52
30
51
61
18
8
16
37
5
11
73
29
75
62
60
64
180
91
65
97
54
40
37
54
75
22
6
19
26
9
12
99
18
66
84
72
56
174
105
77
121
55
27
40
64
83
740
318
384
2,801
406
592
5,620
1,690
4,058
4,222
3,026
4,666
9,395
3,040
4,124
2,434
2,529
1,741
1,178
3,102
2,312
532
177
352
2,146
336
489
5,271
1,721
4,794
3,467
2,421
4,170
7,955
3,185
3,237
2,651
2,326
2,017
1,439
2,635
2,259
586
164
399
1,655
182
419
3,546
1,181
2,704
2,490
1,800
2,440
6,266
2,781
2,300
2,851
1,830
1,322
1,046
2,443
2,504
527
115
458
926
179
269
2,614
451
2,000
2,334
2,029
1,906
7,042
3,194
2,103
3,097
1,805
868
1,042
2,415
2,394
1
9
"""II
2
18
74
13
108
142
77
171
173
36
23
35
99
15
41
102
206
714
309
364
2,594
369
561
5,546
1,677
3,950
4,080
2,613
4,213
7,954
2,913
3,641
2,379
2,430
1,72,6
1,137
2,135
2,043
25
.1
2.8
._...
.5
3.1
1.3
.8
2.7
3.4
2.9
3.9
2.1
1.2
.6
1.4
3.9
.9
3.5
4.6
9.2
New Hampshire
Vermont _ _
20
196
35
13
"336
282
1,268
91
460
20
""§65
63
M assachusetts
Rhode Island
Connecticut _.
MIDDLE ATLANTIC:
New York
New Jersey
Pennsy 1 vania
EAST NORTH CENTRAL:
Ohio
Indiana
Illinois _. «
Michigan
W isconsin
WEST NORTH CENTRAL:
M innesota
Iowa
M issouri
North Dakota
South Dakota
Nebraska
Kansas _
'Based on membership with age classification reported.
22 CENSUS OF KELIGIOCJS BODIES, 1936
TABLE 4. — NUMBER ANJ> MEMBERSHIP OF CHURCHES, 1906 TO 1936, AND MEM-
BERSHIP BY AGE IN 1936, BY STATES- — Continued
GEOGEAPHIC DIVISION AND
STATE
NUMBER OF
CHUKCHES
NUMBER OF MEMBERS
MEMBERSHIP BY AGE,
1930
1936
1936
1916
1906
1930
1936
1916
1906
Under 13
years
13 years
and over
"0*0
*$
SS,
•^ s
Percent
under 13 J
SOUTH ATLANTIC:
Delaware .
5
24
4
33
12
31
16
23
60
21
44
21
22
23
14
41
67
24
31
11
49
14
13
7
4
108
76
208
6
20
4
29
10
33
17
19
44
20
38
20
18
19
10
47
52
25
32
8
63
9
9
6
2
93
69
198
5
17
6
29
10
26
19
21
35
15
37
22
18
20
15
55
40
18
30
9
65
12
14
4
3
85
67
163
3
11
3
25
19
13
13
8
17
19
29
15
20
22
19
66
29
24
12
4
49
6
9
8
2
60
50
94
242
2, 723
887
1,631
590
1,239
429
1,335
4,023
1,075
3,040
928
777
1,022
790
2,099
4,102
917
1,875
373
2, 754
484
1,002
279
141
7,808
6,569
25, 744
270
1,598
1,441
941
492
1,189
423
1,056
2,630
1,013
2,082
740
568
706
536
2, 642
3,011
872
1,186
310
3, 309
221
579
190
125
6,063
4,936
18, 429
189
897
1,006
736
283
704
485
710
1,259
382
1,414
609
398
601
481
2,258
1,801
701
1,065
224
2, 702
323
441
175
149
3, 944
3,476
10, 973
155
401
382
576
344
264
201
205
411
343
1, 101
315
380
544
502
1, 967
1,414
565
430
76
2,311
218
214
216
76
2, 592
1,844
6, 396
2
58
14
61
10
8
7
40
129
26
65
53
14
27
35
55
126
24
32
7
55
9
42
9
1
208
160
963
240
2,665
668
1, 555
490
1,231
407
1,277
3,791
1,000
2,400
861
686
995
755
2,044
3,752
823
I, 534
366
2, 546
475
938
270
140
7, 443
5,829
23, 839
"205
15
90
— ...
18
103
49
575
12
77
""224
70
309
0.8
2.1
2.1
3.8
2.0
.6
1.7
3.0
3.3
2 5
2 0
5.8
2.0
2.6
4.4
2.6
3.2
2.8
2 0
1.9
2.1
1.9
4.3
3.2
.7
2.7
2.7
3.9
Maryland
District of Columbia
Virginia -
West Virginia
North Carolina
South Carolina -.
Georgia ._
Florida .
EAST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Kientucky
Tennessee
Alabama
Mississippi.. . _ -
WEST SOUTH CENTEAL:
Arkansas .
Louisiana
Oklahoma.
Texas _ _
M OUNTAIN:
M ontana.
Idaho .
"W yoming
Colorado
153
"""22
157
580
942
New Mexico _
Arizona
Utah
Nevada
PACIFIC:
"W ashington
Oregon
California
1 Based on membership with age classification reported.
TABLE 5. — VALUE OF CHURCHES AND PAKSONAGES AND AMOUNT OF CHURCH
DEBT BY STATES, 1936
GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION
AND STATE
Total
num-
ber of
churches
Num-
ber of
church
edi-
fices
VALUE OF CHURCH
EDIFICES
DEBT ON CHURCH
EDIFICES
VALUE OF PAR-
SONAGES
Churches
reporting
Amount
Churches
reporting
Amount
Churches
reporting
Amount
United States
2,054
1,451
13
4
8
17
5
7
42
21
44
44
38
37
120
58
1,362
$6,890,955
195
$487, 404
85
$117, 069
NEW ENGLAND:
Maine
23
11
16
33
8
17
76
35
77
66
54
68
150
81
12
4
6
16
5
6
39
19
41
42
36
36
116
56
26, 725
17,000
14,000
123, 600
62, 800
36, 300
686, 863
126, 500
453, 600
286, 345
206, 200
182,425
654, 213
165, 925
1
275
New Hampshire
Vermont
Massachusetts
4
1
4
9
8
16
16
8
5
19
11
41, 275
8,161
9,184
69, 954
13, 400
91, 750
51, 496
13, 969
7,663
40, 059
3,501
Hhode Island
Connecticut
MIDDLE ATLANTIC:
New York . .
i
1
2
2
1
2
3
i;>
(')
0)
10, 100
New Jersey
Pennsylvania
EAST NOETH CENTRAL:
Ohio
Indiana
Illinois —
Michigan..- »
Wisconsin
i Amount included in figures on the line designated "Combinations," to avoid disclosing the statistics
SEVENTH-DAY ADVEWTISX DENOMINATION
23
TABLE 5. — VALUE OF CHURCHES AND PARSONAGES AND AMOUNT OF CHURCH
DEBT BY STATES, 1936 — Continued
GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION
AND STATE
Total
num-
ber of
churches
Num-
ber of
church
edi-
fices
VALUE OF CHURCH
EDIFICES
DEBT ON CHURCH
EDIFICES
VALUE OF PAR-
SONAGES
Churches
reporting
Amount
Churches
reporting
Amount
Churches
reporting
Amount
WEST NORTH CENTRAL:
Minnesota
65
58
41
45
28
48
48
5
24
4
33
12
31
16
23
60
21
44
21
22
23
14
41
67
24
31
11
49
14
13
7
4
108
76
208
46
42
30
28
21
38
30
5
17
2
?i
21
14
18
47
16
27
10
20
19
8
31
50
19
20
8
35
10
11
4
3
84
59
163
44
38
28
26
20
37
27
5
15
1
29
7
21
13
16
44
15
23
9
19
19
7
30
44
18
16
8
32
10
10
4
3
80
56
154
$161, 870
104, 775
143, 100
82, 150
42, 250
116, 254
94, 850
34, 300
}z 114, 600
76, 950
35, 600
59, 200
32, 850
83, 500
245, 820
78,400
97,450
41, 950
29, 950
27, 950
15, 600
74, 800
132, 350
41, 050
47, 336
17, 675
96, 350
16, 015
44, 400
29, 000
7,500
251,950
178, 685
991, 979
6
3
5
4
$5, 203
2,150
16, 765
1,530
1
1
2
0)
(l)
0)
Iowa
Missouri
North Dakota
South Dakota.
Nebraska
I
2
3,000
8,100
3
$7, 500
Kansas
SOUTH ATLANTIC.
Dclawaro
Maryland,
/ 6
I 1
3
2
3
4
1
5
1
1
}*24,992
2,525
800
2,956
2,150
200
17, 733
6,000
564
District of Columbia..
Virginia
( I
1
8
West Virginia
North Carolina
1
0)
South Carolina
Georgia
Florida
1
1
(0
(0
EAST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Kentucky
Tennessee
Alabama
Mississippi
2
3
240
2,658
1
(')
WEST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Arkansas
Louisiana,
Oklahoma _
9
4
2
3
7,443
2,300
282
1,945
2
2
C1)
0)
Texas
MOUNTAIN:
M!ontana
Idaho
1
(0
Wyoming
Colorado
1
1
4,500
192
New IVtexico
Utah
1
G)
Nevada
PACIFIC:
Washington
6
8
6
4,975
10, 432
7,082
2
(0
Oregon
California
2
0)
99,489
Combinations
* Amount included in figures on the line designated "Combinations," to avoid disclosing the statistics
of any individual church.
« Amount for District of Columbia combined with figures for Maryland, to avoid disclosing the statistics
of any individual church.
24
CENSUS OF RELIGIOUS BODIES, 1936
TABLE 6. — CHURCH EXPENDITURES BY STATES, 1936
GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION AND STATE
Total
number
of
churches
EXPENDITURES
Churches
reporting
Total
amount
Pastors'
salaries
All other
salaries
Repairs
and
improve-
ments
United States
2,054
23
11
16
33
8
17
76
35
77
66
54
68
150
81
65
58
41
45
28
48
48
5
24
4
33
12
31
16
23
60
21
44
21
22
23
14
41
67
24
31
11
49
14
13
7
4
108
76
208
1,973
22
11
16
32
8
15
72
34
75
63
53
66
142
78
63
55
38
43
27
45
47
5
23
4
32
10
30
14
22
57
19
40
19
22
21
12
39
65
23
30
10
46
14
13
7
4
108
75
204
$6, 196, 143
36, 610
19,360
16, 552
189, 782
34, 210
30, 726
380, 628
121, 492
246, 117
205, 576
162, 307
192,058
384, 300
105,769
156,636
87, 403
92, 753
39, 973
42,851
98,475
75,954
18, 725
171, 145
32,010
80, 718
24, 295
46, 362
14,027
57,044
161, 720
46, 492
121,986
38,822
35, 517
27, 596
25, 649
72,241
126,888
42,041
53, 970
18, 171
121,093
21,299
49,564
18,229
5,118
307, 406
261,343
1, 477, 140
$16, 652
8181,752
260
1,615
$136,302
1,750
2,918
361
1,175
51
398
4, 703
2,206
11, 152
6,371
13,427
3, 037
7,411
3,085
4, 151
4,381
2,027
1,214
1,657
3,721
1,245
191
2,780
1,003
2,056
388
2,987
553
332
2,768
318
1, 631
766
477
1,489
578
802
1,279
454
1,080
500
1,118
478
937
260
275
7,510
8,731
18, 090
NEW ENGLAND:
Maine _„„_
Now Hampshire
"Vermont
Massachusetts -
4,406
Rhode Island
C onnecticut
1,571
13,096
2,174
7,019
5,229
4,697
4, 276
10, 881
2,637
3,531
3,880
2, 845
550
450
458
1,458
495
2,300
2,347
3,654
MIDDLE ATLANTIC:
New York
New Jersey - -
Pennsylvania
EAST NORTH CENTRAL:
Ohio . —
Indiana,
Illinois . , . ._ .
Michigan
Wisconsin
408
WEST NORTH CENTBAL:
Minnesota
Iowa
Missouri
North Dakota
South Dakota
Nebraska
Kansas
SOUTH ATLANTIC:
Delaware
585
Maryland, ___
District of Columbia .
1,378
Virginia - .
West Virginia »
North Carolina
1,738
48
2,934
6,011
1. 430
1,743
1,383
638
2,147
868
1,833
3,285
2,555
2.390
316
3,313
4,061
1,840
South Carolina
Georgia
1,763
125
Florida
EAST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Kentucky
Tennessee .
Alabama, .
2,160
Mississippi _
WEST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Arkansas
Louisiana
Oklahoma
Texas
MOUNTAIN:
Montana _„
Idaho „
Wyoming „_. . „
Colorado
3,553
New Mexico
Arizona
1,040
Utah
Nevada _
500
5, 065
8,708
49, 117
PACIFIC:
Washington. _
Oregon
California
5,640
SEVENTH-DAY ADYE'NTIST DENOMINATION 25
TABLE 0. — CHUECH EXPENDITUEES BY STATES, 1936-~-Continued
GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION" AND STATE
EXPENDITURES— continued
Payment
on church
debt, ex-
cluding
interest
Other
current
expenses,
including
interest
Local re-
lief and
chanty
Home
missions
Foreign
missions
To general
head-
quarters
All
other
pur-
poses
United States
$86, 534
125
$285, 876
1,174
1,145
362
7,321
6, 844
2,043
24,839
6,879
20,814
13,914
10,395
10,849
23,831
5,195
4,752
3,596
4,734
1,288
4,158
5,242
3,456
2,027
6,653
1,828
4,206
962
884
768
2,117
6,568
980
3,317
965
671
777
961
4,240
4,443
995
3,297
313
4,205
500
2,226
573
217
9,238
6,321
53, 013
$100, 591
=========
438
395
523
2,329
327
542
5,679
900
3,643
5,034
981
4,961
2,942
1,363
2,190
1,038
1,44$
879
1.092
1, 519
766
36
2,424
155
1,674
1,509
1,043
345
763
2,781
1,704
1,516
344
355
481
700
1,107
1,889
214
1,035
126
1,202
265
527
511
166
2,510
3,883
32, 342
$202,453
580, 037
4,427,019
5178,927
NEW ENGLAND:
Maine
1,830
95
1,221
1,926
2,716
247
12, 722
8,747
4,782
5,514
6,113
9,375
6,936
5,717
3,138
1,739
5,078
3, 293
1,361
2,555
1,513
44
2,363
39
1,147
783
734
217
1, 056
4,135
2,640
3,325
206
1,245
1,159
222
1,737
6,731
840
8,307
699
10. 186
1,384
1,240
285
240
22, 155
11, 155
31, 561
2,033
1,063
3,494
24, 357
1,242
1,323
36,981
14,874
20, 531
17, 448
14,035
17, 360
38, 738
15,812
17,327
11, 148
4,009
2,652
2,188
20, 116
8,999
442
9, 547
4,343
6,080
2,811
4,886
617
3,239
16,691
4,268
6,867
4,425
947
2,907
2,488
9,391
18, 459
4,183
6,082
3, 053
11, 699
4,433
2.488
2,667
1,850
38, 248
29, 054
102, 142
27, 612
12, 078
9,733
146, 743
23, 009
24, 018
263, 817
77, 975
161, 210
144, 264
97, 511
136, 014
279, 382
69, 100
116, 434
58, 953
65, 689
27,679
31, 095
63, 949
55, 043
14, 516
141, 607
18, 883
60, 323
16, 647
32, 247
11, 438
44, 618
112, 758
33, 736
99, 405
22,888
29,680
16,207
17, 321
49,417
85,612
32, 186
28,832
12, 942
78,468
9,333
38, 965
10,410
1,870
206, 825
176, 097
1, 132, 480
1,388
51
858
758
21
300
11, 190
4,822
9,128
3,316
2,973
5,509
6,480
1,572
4,423
1,702
6,756
1,934
850
915
424
389
2,067
2,034
1,138
827
1,118
41
222
8,248
416
4,022
5,667
1,047
2,384
2,304
2,412
3,737
266
1,252
222
6,986
553
301
3,523
New Hampshire
Vermont
Massachusetts
767
Rhode Island
Connecticut
284
7,601
2,915
7,838
4,486
12, 175
677
7,719
880
690
966
172
484
MIDDLE ATLANTIC:
New York „
New Jersey
Pennsylvania
EAST NORTH CENTRAL:
Ohio
Indiana
Illinois.. _. „_
' Michigan .
Wisconsin
WEST NORTH CENTRAL:
Minnesota
Iowa
Missouri .
North Dakota
South Dakota
Nebraska
Kansas
3,050
SOUTH ATLANTIC:
Delaware
Maryland
1,404
District of Columbia
Virginia
410
368
725
West Virginia.
North Carolina
South Carolina
Georgia--,
Florida
1,635
1,000
360
18
457
45
207
1,302
1,453
348
1,695
EAST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Kentucky _ __
Tennessee
Alabama. _ _ __
Mississippi
WEST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Arkansas
Louisiana . .
Oklahoma
Texas
MOUNTAIN:
Montana
Idaho
Wyoming
Colorado
363
292
New Mexico
Arizona
Utah
Nevada
PACIFIC:
Washington.
4,539
5,662
13,422
11,316
11, 732
39, 333
Oregon ,
California ,__
26
CENSUS 01? RELIGIOUS BODIES, 1936
TABLE 7. — NUMBER AND MEMBERSHIP OF CHURCHES, VALUE AND DEBT ON
CHURCH EDIFICES, EXPENDITURES, AND SABBATH SCHOOLS, BY CONFERENCES,
1936
UNION AND LOCAL
CONFERENCE
Total number of
churches
Number of members
VALUE OF
CHURCH
EDIFICES
DEBT ON
CHURCH
EDIFICES
EXPENDITURES
SABBATH
SCHOOLS
Churches re-
porting
Amount
Churches re-
porting
Amount
Churches re-
porting
Amount
Churches re-
porting
Scholars
Total
2,054
133,254
1,362
$6, 690, 955
195
$487,404
1,973
$6, 196, 143
1,465
97, 062
Atlantic Union
184
25
51
50
58
394
50
58
48
65
41
48
45
28
11
256
25
49
35
66
41
28
12
353
68
54
150
81
239
25
23
80
56
55
232
63
13
57
54
45
238
47
44
57
47
43
158
37
42
1
78
10,861
2,606
3,014
1,442
3,799
20, 603
2,810
2,434
2,312
4,124
2,529
3,102
1,741
1,178
373
16,043
1,590
2,939
1,690
4,222
3,874
1,119
609
20, 127
4,666
3,026
9,395
3,040
17, 169
1,498
875
7,011
4, 525
3,260
27, 166
5,883
499
5,651
6,793
8,340
12, 844
1,914
1,602
3,835
2,632
2,861
8,441
1,812
2,129
9
4,491
88
13
26
22
27
261
33
38
27
44
28
37
26
20
8
159
19
28
19
42
31
13
7
244
36
36
116
56
170
13
18
58
41
40
171
48
7
44
39
33
160
31
33
41
29
26
109
26
31
967, 288
563, 613
123, 250
57, 725
222, 700
860, 774
97, 850
104, 775
94, 850
161,870
143, 100
116, 254
82, 150
42, 250
17, 675
1, 127, 895
126, 400
366, 400
126, 500
286, 345
97,450
87, 200
37, 600
1, 208, 763
182, 425
206, 200
654, 213
165,925
519, 021
40,886
41,050
176,585
145, 900
114, 600
1, 072, 879
261,873
36, 500
176, 060
178, 696
419, 750
669, 120
77,700
91. 800
240, 020
126,550
133, 050
265,215
43, 550
75,450
19
7
2
1
9
22
1
3
2
6
5
1
4
128,849
68, 354
1,600
275
58, 620
41, 248
4,500
2,150
8,100
5,203
16, 765
3,000
1,530
176
25
47
49
55
375
47
55
47
63
38
45
43
27
10
246
24
49
34
63
40
26
10
339
66
53
142
78
236
24
23
79
55
55
228
61
13
56
S
223
45
42
53
44
39
150
33
40
1
76
707,868
238,967
141, 661
72, 522
254, 718
734,849
122,633
87,403
75,954
156,636
92, 753
98, 475
39, 973
42, 851
18, 171
900, 078
90, 453
177, 716
121,492
205, 576
209, 465
68,401
26, 975
844,434
192, 058
162,307
384,300
105, 769
664,760
41,771
42,041
267,344
163, 285
150,319
1,550,051
305, 001
26,382
254, 479
419, 101
545,088
521, 970
85,008
59, 188
151,051
120,774
105, 949
272, 133
53,245
} i 75, 645
143,243
123
18
32
35
38
264
36
39
30
38
31
31
28
21
10
187
18
38
24
42
35
21
9
250
44
39
105
62
180
16
17
59
38
50
162
39
8
38
41
36
181
36
30
43
39
33
118
31
f 26
I 1
60
7,445
1,676
2,080
1,011
2,678
13, 575
2,293
1,786
1,680
1,713
1,976
1, 295
1,367
1,128
337
12,419
1,372
2,370
1,290
3,070
2,960
927
430
15, 194
3,261
2,210
7,607
2,116
12,530
890
772
5,031
2,942
2,895
19,715
3,704
349
4,780
4, 932
5,950
10, 551
1,800
1, 163
3,177
2,198
2,213
5,633
1,472
1,453
17
2,691
Greater New York
New York
Northern New England..
Southern New England. .
Central Union
Colorado
Iowa
Kansas
Minnesota .. ....
Missouri -_
Nebraska-
North Dakota
South. Dakota
Wyoming Mission
Columbia Union
52
5
13
8
16
5
3
2
43
5
8
19
11
19
3
2
7
3
4
6
184, 963
21, 900
81, 650
13, 400
51, 496
5,617
10, 100
800
65, 292
7,663
13, 969
40,059
3,601
17, 534
1,337
282
10, 240
1,200
4,475
7,082
Chesapeake
East Pennsylvania
New Jersey
Ohio
Potomac
West Pennsylvania.
West Virginia
Lake Union,
Illinois
Indiana
Michigan ...
Wisconsin..
North Pacific Union
Idaho
Montana
Oregon
Upper Columbia
Washington
Pacific Union
Central California
Nevada-Utah
Northern California.
Southeastern California-
Arizona „ .. ._ .
3
2
1
17
3
7
4
2
1
17
3
9
2,900
l;Jo8o2
29, 843
430
5,106
17, 543
764
6,000
12,593
2,658
7,443
Southern California
Southern Union . .
Alabama-Mississippi
Carolina ...
Florida
Georgia-Cumberland. ...
Kentucky-Tennessee
Southwestern Uni on
Arkansas-Louisiana
Oklahoma
Southwest Indian Mission
Texas
52
146, 215
6
2,492
1 Amount for Southwest Indian Mission combined with figures for Oklahoma, to avoid disclosing the
statistics of any individual church.
SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST DEKOMIISTATIOK 27
HISTORY, DOCTRINE, AND ORGANIZATION l
DENOMINATIONAL HISTORY
The religious denomination known as Seventh-day Adventists had its rise about
the middle of the nineteenth century. The name is based upon two of the dis-
tinctive beliefs they hold, namely, the observance of the Sabbath of the Scriptures,
and the imminent, personal second advent of Christ.
In those years, not only in the United States, but in other countries of the world,
many students of Bible prophecy became convinced that the second advent was
drawing near, and this belief resulted in a great religious awakening, in Britain, in
some countries of the Continent of Europe, and in North America. "Whether
this doctrine is orthodox or not," wrote the historian Macaulay, in 1829, "many
who hold it are distinguished by rank, wealth, and ability. It is preached from
pulpits both of the Scottish and of the English church.7' One English writer of the
time estimated that in the years just before 1840 about 700 clergymen of the
Church of England were taking part in the awakening movement.
In the United States and Canada came a parallel movement, in which were
represented Christians of all the churches. Among prominent leaders in the pub-
lishing and evangelistic work of this second advent evangelism were William Miller,
a Baptist layman, of Low Hampton, N. Y., and Joshua V. Himes, a clergyman, of
Boston. Monthly and weekly papers devoted to this work were issued in Boston,
New York, and many other parts.
It was from among the Adventists engaged in this movement in America that
there arose a small group in 1844, in Washington, N. H., who began to observe the
seventh-day Sabbath, as they found it enjoined in the fourth commandment of the
Decalogue. Thus came the first Seventh-day Adventists, though the name was
not formally adopted until later years.
Prominent among those who pioneered the work were Joseph Bates, James
White, his wife, Mrs. Ellen G. White, Hiram Edson, Frederick Wheeler, and
S. W. Rhodes. Later came J. H. Waggoner, J. N. Loughborough, J. N. Andrews
(who was the first Seventh-day Adventist missionary to be sent overseas from the
United States), Uriah Smith, and S. N. Haskell.
By 1860 the movement had grown until, in connection with the organization
of the first publishing house in Battle Creek, Mich., the denominational name
was assumed. The following year saw the beginning of the organization of
State conferences of churches, and in 1863 the General Conference was organized,
with John Byington as its first president. In order to decentralize and distribute
administrative responsibility, local State conferences are grouped in fairly large
areas as a union conference, with a union corps of officers. The union conferences
in continental areas are grouped again as divisions — as North American, South
American, southern Asia, Australasian, etc., covering all continents — each
division having its staff of officers. There are 12 divisions. Representatives
from each division make up the General Conference committee, with headquarters
in Washington, D. C. For about half a century the headquarters had been at
Battle Creek, Mich., where the first equipped publishing house was built, also
their first medical sanitarium (with which grew up the early health food pro-
motion), and their first college. In 1903, however, the general offices were re-
moved to Washington,
DOCTRINE
Very briefly stated, the main features of Seventh-day Adventist teaching are
as follows:
1. Holy Scripture the rule of faith and practice. (2 Tim. 3:15—17.)
2. The Godhead, or Trinity, consists of the Eternal Father, the Son of the
Eternal Father, through whom all things were created, the Holy Spirit, the third
person of the Godhead, the great regenerating power in the work of redemption.
(Matt. 28:19.)
3. Jesus Christ is very God. While retaining His divine nature He took upon
Himself the nature of the human family, died for our sins, rose from the dead,
and in heaven ever lives to make intercession for us. (John 1:1, 14; Heb. 2:9-18;
8:1, 2; 7: 25.)
* This statement, which differs somewhat from that published in vol. II of the Report on Beligioiis Bodies,
1926, has been revised by a committee named for the purpose, and presented in its present form by H. E.
Rogers, statistical secretary, General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, Takoma Park, Washington,
D. C.
28 CENSUS OF BELIGIOUS BODIES, 1936
4. The new birth, through faith, by the recreative power of God. (John
3:3, 16.)
5. Baptism of believers, by immersion. (Mark 16: 16; Rom. 6: 1-6.)
6. The ten commandments, the moral law of God, the standard of the judgment.
(Ex. 20 : 1-17; Matt. 5 : 17-19; Eccl. 12 : 13, 14.)
7. The fourth commandment of God's law enjoins the observance of the
seventh day as the Sabbath of the Lord our God, made holy for all mankind.
(Gen. 2:1-3; Ex. 20:8-11; Mark 2:27, 28.)
8. "Sin is the transgression of the law." (1 John 3:4.) "The wages of sin is
death." (Rom. 6 -23.) Having sinned, man cannot save himself, nor can the
law justify him. God so loved the world that He gave His Son, even Jesus Christ,
to die in man's stead; accepting Chrst by faith, as his substitute, the sinner is
justified by the Saviour's grace, who cleanses from sin, creates the new heart,
and abides within by His Spirit, to work obedience. Thus the gospel becomes
"the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth." (Rom. 1:16.)
9. Man is by nature mortal. God "only hath immortality." (1 Tim. 6:16.)
Immortality and eternal life come to redeemed man only as the free gift in Christ;
and "this mortal shall put on immortality" at the second coming of Christ.
(1 Cor. 15:51-55.)
10. The condition of man in death is that of unconscious sleep. All men, good
and evil alike, in death remain in the grave until the resurrection. (Eccl. 9: .5, G;
Ps. 146:3, 4; John 5:28, 29.)
11. The resurrection of the just takes place at the second advent of Christ
(1 Tliess. 4:13-18), that of the unjust, a thousand years later, at the close of the
millennium. (Rev. 20:5-10.)
12. The impenitent, including Satan, the author of sin, are destroyed, brought
to a state of nonexistence. (Rom. 6: 23; Mai. 4: 1-3; Rev. 20: 9, 10; Obadiah 16.)
13. The Christian is to live and act and eat and drink to the glory of God,
recognizing his body as the temple of the Holy Spirit. Thus the believer will
clothe the body in neat, modest, dignified apparel, and will be led to abstain from
all intoxicating drinks, tobacco, and other narcotics. (1 Cor. 3: 16, 17; 9: 25;
10: 31; 1 Tim. 2: 9, 10; 1 John 2: 6.)
14. Gospel work is to be supported by the Scripture plan of tithes and offerings.
(Lev. 27: 30: Mai. 3: 8-12; Matt. 23: 23; 1 Cor. 9: 9-14; 2 Cor. 9: 6-15.)
15. Seventh-day Adventists believe that the Bible and the Bible alone is the
authority for all faith and doctrine, and the standard by which all religious teaching
is to be judged. Believing also in the impartation of the Holy Spirit to the church
for all time, they accept the Scriptural teaching regarding the manifestation of
spiritual gifts as a means by which the church is edified and built up — the gifts of
apostleship, prophecy, teaching, evangelism, etc. (1 Cor. 12: 28-30; Eph. 4:
1 1-14.) As the gift of prophecy is among these gifts listed, they accept the admoni-
tion of Paul, "Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which
is good." From 'the beginning of the movement they have had constant and
cumulative evidence that through the counsels and writings of Ellen G. White,
the Holy Spirit has given special help to the church. The counsel and instruction
thus received, has been a potent factor in the maintenance of unity of doctrine and
of organization for world-wide service.
16. The second coming of Christ is the hope of the church, the climax of the
plan of salvation, spoken of by all the prophets "since the world began." (Acts
3: 19-21.) While no man knows the day and the hour, Christ and all prophecy
have foretold signs by which it may be known when it "is near, even at the doors."
The gospel message in these times, it is believed, must call attention to the signs
of the times and to the message of preparation to meet the Lord. The closing
ministry of Jesus in heaven, before He comes, is a work of judgment, which will
determine between the just and the unjust. (Dan. 7: 9, 10.) When that judg-
ment begins in the heavenly temple, the gospel message is due to the world; "The
hour of His judgment is come." (Rev. 14: 6, 7.) Seventh-day Adventists
believe it is their work to carry that message to every people and tongue.
17. The order of events of the second advent are understood to be as follows:
The voice of Christ calls forth the just of all the ages from their graves, the living
righteous being translated. All ascend with Jesus to heaven. The glory of His
corning has consumed the unjust. The earth is desolated, uninhabited *by men
for a thousand years, the prison house of Satan. (1 Thess. 4: 16, 17; 1: 7-9;
Rev. 20: 1-3, 5.)
18. The millennial reign of Christ covers the period between the first and
second resurrection, during which the saved live with Him in heaven. At the end
of the thousand years, the Holy City, with Christ and the saved, descend to earth,
SEVENTH-DAY ADVENT1ST DENOMINATION" 29
the wicked are raised in the second resurrection; led by Satan they come up
against the Lord and the city. Pinal judgment is pronounced upon them, and
fire consumes them utterly. Death itself is destroyed, and the grave. Satan is
no more. All traces of sin are removed by the purifying fires, and the earth comes
forth, recreated, restored to the purity and beauty of the original Eden. 'The
meek shall inherit the earth." It becomes the eternal home of the redeemed of
Adam's race. (Rev. 20: 7-15; 21: 1-5.) There is then no sin or pain in all the
universe, and every creature gives praise to God. (Rev. 5: 13.)
ORGANIZATION
The local church. — The local church is congregational in its government, although
under the general supervision of the conference of which it its a member. One
or more elders — generally laymen — are elected annually to care for the spiritual
interests of the church, conduct services, and, in the absence of an ordained
minister, to administer the sacraments. One or more deacons and deaconesses
are also elected annually to care for the financial and administrative work. In
the case of large congregations, particularly in cities, ordained ministers are
sometimes appointed by the conference as pastors, but usually they act as evange-
lists, having supervision of a number of local churches, and directing their chief
effort to evangelistic work in the development of new churches.
Local, union, and General Conference. — A number of churches are united to
form a conference or mission. The conference meets biennially and is composed
of delegates elected by the churches. The conference has general supervision
of the churches and their work. In some large States there are two or more of
these conferences, and as a matter of convenience the term "local conference"
has come into use. The local conferences or missions are united into groups to
form union conferences, which hold sessions quadrennially, and to which delegates
are elected by the local conferences. The union conferences and union missions
throughout the world are united in the General Conference, which holds quadren-
nial sessions composed of delegates from union conferences and union missions
throughout the world. For convenience in administering the work of the General
Conference, the world field is divided into 12 divisions, each with its staff of
division officers, presided over by a vice president of the General Conference.
Executive committees. — Each local conference and local mission has an executive
committee for the conduct of its work, composed of its officers and other elected
or appointed members. The union conference president, secretary, and treasurer,
together with the presidents of the local conferences and superintendents of
local missions and other elected members, compose the executive committee of
the union conference. The president, secretary, and treasurer, the field secre-
taries of the division, the presidents of union conferences, and superintendents
of union missions, with division departmental secretaries, and other appointed
members, constitute the executive committee of the division. The president of
the General Conference, and other officers of the General Conference and the
divisions, the field secretaries, together with General Conference and division
departmental secretaries, the union conference presidents and superintendents of
union missions, and other elected members, constitute the General Conference
executive committee.
WORK
Membership and work. — Applicants for church membership appear before the
pastor or officers of the local church for examination. If approved, they are
recommended for baptism and church membership.
Candidates for the gospel ministry are licensed to preach, for a limited term,
by a conference, either local, union, or general. At the expiration of that term,
on approval by the conference, they are recommended for ordination.
Local church expenses are met by special contributions, and collections are
made during the year for the different departments of denominational work.
An effort is also being made to collect a sum amounting to 40 cents per week per
member for foreign mission work. The support of the ministry is provided by
the tithing system, each church member being expected to contribute a tenth of
his net income for this purpose. The tithes are paid through a church treasurer
to the treasurer of the local conference. The conference supervises the work of
ministers and pays the salaries. Associations for the holding of property belong-
ing to the denomination have been formed in nearly every country in which work
is carried on. The jurisdiction of these associations is coextensive with that of a
conference, local, or union, and their officers are the officers of the conference,
30 CENSUS OF RELIGIOUS BODIES, 1936
while their constituencies consist of the delegates to the sessions of the conference.
The associations connected with local conferences hold in trust all the property
for the local churches, while associations formed for union conferences hold prop-
erty of a more general character.
In all the world. — Believing in the command of our Saviour, as expressed in
Matthew 28: 19 — "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations" — Seventh -day Ad-
ventists have literally gone forth into all the world, carrying the gospel message
to all lands.
At the close of 1936, Seventh-day Adventists were conducting work in 378
countries, islands, and island groups, by 26,553 evangelistic and institutional
laborers, who are using in their work 649 languages and dialects. This was an
increase of 71 languages during 1936, or practically 1 new language added every
5 days during that year. Since 1926, 393 languages have been added, or 1 new
language added on an average of a little less than 10 days.
The membership of the 8,243 churches of the denomination throughout the
world at the close of 1936 was 438,139. In the United States there were 153,125
while outside there were 285,014. There are 70 union conferences, 143 local
conferences, 328 missions, with 12,589 evangelistic laborers. The first missionary
was sent outside the United States in 1874. Since that time there have been
about 5,000 missionaries sent to labor outside this country.
Educational. — In 1872, the first denominational missionary training school was
opened in Battle Creek, Mich. At the close of 1936 there was in operation a
graded system of education, requiring 16 years' work for completion, and includ-
ing, in all countries, 33 literary and theological colleges and junior colleges, 1
medical college, 187 academies and intermediate schools, and 2,514 primary
schools. All these schools had 5,715 teachers. The enrollment of the 2,514
Primary schools was 83,605, and of the advanced schools, 29,227, a total of 112,832.
a the United States the enrollment was 33,849. The earnings and contributions
received by all the schools throughout the world for 1936 were $7,081,983. The
schools in the United States received $5,307,296.
Health promotion. — In 1866 a sanitarium was erected in Battle Creek, Mich.,
for the rational treatment of disease and the dissemination of the principles of
temperance and healthful living. At the close of 1936 there were 95 well-equipped
sanitariums, and 68 hydropathic treatment rooms, throughout the world, in
addition to a number of dispensaries and about 50 medical institutions under
private management that are recognized as following the denominational prin-
ciples. All these institutions treated 625,083 patients during 1936. Physicians,
nurses, and other employees number 5,995.
Publishing. — The first really equipped denominational publishing house was
erected in Battle Creek, Mich., in 1855. At the close of 1936 there were 17
publishing houses and branches in the United States, and 56 in other countries,
a total of 73 publishing houses and branches, engaged exclusively in the pro-
duction and sale of denominational literature. These houses issue 282 periodicals,
in 194 languages, have 1,154 employees engaged in production of literature, and
3,383 colporteurs employed in its distribution. Literature sales in 1936 amounted
to $3,622,299. The total value of book and periodical sales from 1863 to the close
of 1936 was $109,948,167.
SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST DENOMINATION" 31
A statement showing the growth in respect to churches and membership by
20-year periods is indicated below:
Year: Churches Membership
1863 125 3,500
1883 680 17,436
1903 2, 120 69,072
1923 5, 096 221, 874
1936 8, 243 438, 139
Another statement showing the total amount of eyangelistical funds raised
during the 20 years preceding the date shown below, is indicated herewith:
Total evangelistk
funds during preceding
Year: SO years
1882 $747, 216. 06
1902 7, 948, 103. 27
1922 79, 614, 141. 76
1936 (14 years) 152,166,358.64
Total 240, 475, 819. 73
Of this amount there has been contributed as: Percent
Tithe $133,267,000. 11 55.42
Foreign missions 71, 102, 663. 19 29. 57
Home missions 36, 106, 156. 43 15. 01
Total 240, 475, 819. 73 100. 00
The number of evangelistical and institutional laborers connected with the
denominational work is indicated below by 20-year periods:
Year: Totallaborers
1863 30
1883 300
1903 4,704
1923 15, 156
1936 26,553
CHURCH OF GOD (ADVENTIST)
STATISTICS
Summary for the United States, with urban-rural classification. — A general
summary of the statistics for the Church of God (Adventist) for the year 1936
is presented in table 1, which shows also the distribution of these figures between
urban and rural territory.
The membership of this denomination comprises all baptized persons who have
been received into fellowship in the local churches upon profession of faith.
TABLE 1. — SUMMARY OF STATISTICS FOE CHURCHES IN URBAN AND RURAL
TERRITORY, 1936
ITEM
Total
In urban
territory
In rural
territory
PERCENT OF TOTAL l
Urban
Rural
Churches (local organizations), number
45
1,250
28
512
723
15
70,8
55
1,024
171
5.1
22
17
$22, 690
$22, 190
$500
$1, 335
2
$1,380
10
2
1
$1,000
32
$9, 732
$1, 265
$35
$318
$520
$936
$321
$2,943
$1, 106
$1, 700
$588
$304
25
154
649
9
326
36
152
174
36
924
26
360
549
15
65,6
34
728
162
4.5
17
12
$14, 390
$13,890
$500
$1, 199
Members , number
26.1
73.9
Average membership per church
Membership by sex:
Male
29.7
24.1
70.3
75.9
^Female - -
Sex not reported - _ _
Males per 100 females ... .
87.4
21
296
9
6.6
5
5
$8, 300
$8, 300
Membership by age:
Under 13 years -
13 years and over
28.9
5.3
71.1
94.7
Age not reported
Percent under 13 years 2__ _
Church edifices, Tyumhftr
Value — number reporting
Amount reported
36.6
37.4
63.4
62.6
100.0
Constructed prior to 1936
Constructed, wholly or in part, in 1936_.
Average v alue per church _.
$1, 660
2
$1, 380
3
2
1
$1, 000
9
$3, 607
$1, 065
$25
$130
$520
$697
$130
$300
$105
$550
$85
$401
5
26
150
Debt — number reporting
Amount reported
100.0
Number reporting "no debt"
7
Parsonages, number
Value — number reporting
Amount reported
100 0
Expenditures:
Churches reporting, number
23
$6, 125
$200
$10
$188
Amount reported . _
37.1
84.2
62.9
15.8
Pastors' salaries . _
All other salaries __
Repairs and improvements
40.9
100.0
74.5
40.5
10.2
9.5
32.4
14.5
59.1
25.1
59.5
89.8
90.5
67.6
85.5
Payment on church debt, excluding in-
terest
All other current expenses, including interest.
Local relief and charity, Bed Cross, etc
Home missions _ ..
$239
$191
$2, 643
$1, 001
$1, 150
$503
$266
20
128
499
Foreign missions ... _> .
To general headquarters for distribution
All other purposes
Average expenditure per church
Sabbath schools :
Churches reporting, number ...
Officers and teachers ..
16.9
23.1
83.1
76.9
Scholars __ _
* Percent not shown where base is less than 100.
1 Based on membership with age classification reported.
32
CHURCH OF GOD (ADVENTIST)
33
Comparative data, 1906-36. — Table 2 presents, in convenient form for com-
parison, a summary of the available statistics of the Church of God (Adventist)
for the census years 1936, 1926, 1916, and 1906.
TABLE 2. — COMPARATIVE SUMMARY, 1906 TO 1936
ITEM
1936
1926
191)6
190G
Clvurclies (local organizations), number
45
58
22
10
Increase 1 over preceding census:
Number - _ - .,_ _ -,
— 13
36
12
Percent2
MeinberSj number „.,-,„ -, -,.,„- -,„„„ ..., ..^ .„..,-„»„-
1,250
1,686
848
354
Increase i over preceding census:
Number
—436
838
494
Percent
-25 8
98 8
139.5
Average membership per church _ -
28
29
39
35
Churcli edifices, number - -
22
12
8
3
Value — number reporting
17
12
8
3
Amount reported -
$22, 690
$25, 850
$8, 200
$4, 000
Average value per church
$1, 335
$2, 154
$1, 025
$1. 333
D0ht — number reporting
2
3
1
Amount reported «. . »
$1, 380
$975
$700
PsxsoH&ces number
2
Value — number reporting
1
Amount reported
$1, 000
Expenditures :
Churches reporting, nnTnb6r
32
39
10
Amount reported . ______
$9, 732
$13, 887
$2, 358
Pastors' salaries .
$1, 265
All other salaries --- --
$35
Repairs and improvements
$318
$4, 805
$1, 258
Payment on church debt, excluding interest...
All other current expenses, including interest..
Local relief and charity, Red Cross, etc-
$520
$936
$321
Home missions
$2, 943
Foreign missions
$1, 106
$9, 082
$1,100
To general headquarters for distribution
$1, 700
All other purposes
$588
Average expenditure per church
$304
$356
$236
Sabbath, schools :
Churches reporting, number . -
25
23
9
Officers and teachers
154
126
52
Scholars - _._._«_._.__
649
685
326
i A minus sign (— ) denotes decrease.
2 Percent not shown where base is less than 100.
State tables. — Tables 3, 4, 5, and 6 present the statistics for the Church of God
(Adventist) by States. Table 3 gives for each State for 1936" the number and
membership of the churches classified according to their location in urban or
rural territory, membership classified by sex, and data for Sabbath schools.
Table 4 gives for selected States the number and membership of the churches for
the four census years 1906 to 1936, together with the membership for 1936 classified
as "under 13 years of age" and "13 years of age and over." Table 5 shows the
value of church edifices and the debt on such property for 1936. Table 6 pre-
sents, for 1936, the church expenditures, showing separately current expenses,
improvements, benevolences, etc. In order to avoid ^ disclosing the financial
statistics of any individual church, separate presentation in tables 5 and 6 is
limited to those States in which three or more churches reported value and expendi-
tures.
34
CENSUS OF EELIGIOUS BODIES, 1936
TABLE 3. — NUMBER AND MEMBERSHIP OF CHURCHES IN URBAN AND RURAL
TERRITORY, MEMBERSHIP BY SEX, AND SABBATH SCHOOLS, BY STATES, 1936
GEOGEAPHIC DIVISION AND STATE
NUMBER OF
CHURCHES
NUMBER OF
MEMBERS
MEMBERSHIP BY
SEX
SABBATH
SCHOOLS
3
o
B
t-4
P
1
P3
'3
4-3
o
EH
1 Urban
"c3
3
PH
03
1
Female
4
«!
M fi
<D
ra
Males per
100 females *
Churches
reporting
Officers and
teachers
Scholars
United States
45
2
5
9
36
1,250
326
18
83
924
512
723
22
53
56
167
57
9
51
19
123
65
35
12
28
26
15
70 8
25
1
2
1
7
2
1
3
154
649
EAST NOKTH CENTRA.!/
Michigan
1
1
5
1
11
2
1
1
46
85
97
279
87
17
104
25
209
123
55
24
S3
46
28
85
14
279
87
17
28
209"
34
55
24
18
46
24
32
41
97
30
8
53
6
86
58
20
12
25
20
6
8
7
41
21
4
12
20
11
17
155
75
12
91
Wis consin
WEST NORTH CENTRAL:
Iowa -
3
11
2
[Missouri
15
59 5
Nebraska-
9
TC arises
1
76
25
"89"
SOUTH ATLANTIC:
West Virginia
3
1
5
2
1
WEST SOTJTH CENTRAL:
Arkansas .
Oklahoma.
5
2
2
1
2
2
69.9
4
1
31
4
189
40
Texas
3
?
1
MOUNTAIN:
Idaho
Colorado
1
PACIFIC:
Washington
4
?
2
35
2
1
7
13
24
15
Oregon
i Eatio not shown where number of females is less than 100.
TABLE 4. — NUMBER AND MEMBERSHIP OF CHURCHES, 1906 TO 1936, AND
MEMBERSHIP BY AGE IN 1936, BY STATES
[ Separate presentation is limited to States having 3 or more churches in either 1936, 1926, 1916, or 1906]
STATE
NUMBER OF CHURCHES
NUMBER OF MEMBERS
MEMBERSHIP BY AGE, 1936
1936
1938
1910
1906
1936
1926
1916
1906
Under
13
years
13
years
and
over
Age
not re-
ported
Per-
cent
under
13i
United States....
Michigan
45
2
5
3
11
2
3
58
2
3
3
15
3
32
10
1,250
1,686
848
354
55
1,024
171
5.1
3
46
85
97
279
87
104
20
31
69
669
147
153
4
2
12
3
42
83
85
208
12
98
Wisconsin
Iowa
2
7
2
4
2
50
379
60
159
56
Missouri
68
75
1 4
Nebraska .. ..
West Virginia
6
5.8
Alabama _ „ .
3
12
1
4
63
249
25
130
Oklahoma
5
3
2
209
123
79
6
16
3
3
203
88
41
164
2.9
15.4
Texas
19
9
Washington
4
53
Other States _
27
17
5
167
438
111
1.8
1 Based on membership with age classification reported; not shown where base is less than 100.
2 Includes 2 churches each in the States of Idaho and Oregon; and 1 m each of the followm g— Kansas
Arkansas, and Colorado.
CHURCH OF GOD (ADVENTIST)
35
TABLE 5. — VALUE OP CHUKCHES AND AMOUNT OF CHURCH DEBT BY STATES, 1936
[Separate presentation is limited to States having 3 or more churches reporting value of edifices]
Total
Number of
VALUE 01
EDI*
- CHURCH
ICES
DEBT ON
EDIE
CHURCH
ICES
churches
edifices
Churches
reporting
Amount
Churches
reporting
Amount
United States
45
22
17
$22 690
2
$1 380
Missouri _
11
7
6
6,100
Other States
34
15
1 11
16 590
2
1 380
i Includes 2 churches in each of the following States— Iowa, Oklahoma, and Idaho; and 1 in each of the
following — Michigan, Nebraska, Arkansas, Texas, and Washington.
TABLE 6. — CHURCH EXPENDITURES BY STATES, 1936
[Separate presentation is limited to States having 3 or more churches reporting]
STATE
Total
number
of
churches
EXPENDITURES
Churches
reporting
Total
amount
Pastors'
salaries
All other
salaries
Repairs
and
improve-
ments
United States
45
32
$9, 732
81, 265
$35
$318
Iowa
3
11
5
4
22
3
6
4
4
i 15
460
543
646
1,747
6,336
130
135
Missouri.. _ _
10
Oklahoma
200
700
365
Washington
Other States » -
25
53
STATE
EXPENDITURES— -continued
Payment
on church
debt, ex-
cluding
interest
Other
current
expenses,
includmi
interest
Local
relief and
; charity
Home
missions
Foreign
missions
To
general
head-
quarters
All
other
purposes
United States
$520
$936
$321
$2,943
81, 106
81, 700
$588
Iowa
120
210
15
102
97
512
Missouri
3
43
10
265
195
296
280
929
185
5
160
238
Oklahoma
"Washington
400
100
2,843
Other States — .
1,106
i Includes 2 churches in each of the following States— Michigan, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Texas, Idaho,
and Oregon; and 1 in each of the following—Nebraska, Kansas, and Arkansas.
36 CENSUS OF BELIGIOUS BODIES, 1936
HISTORY, DOCTRINE, AND ORGANIZATION1
DENOMINATIONAL HISTORY
In the year 1863 there were many people in various parts of the United States
who held to the observance of the seventh-day Sabbath and were looking for the
soon return of Christ, but who either had never been connected with the Seventh-
day Adventists, or who had rejected the inspiration of the so-called "visions" of
Mrs. E. G. White. These people were scattered and unorganized. In the
summer of 1863 a number of t-hem associated together and began the publication
of a monthly paper, named "The Hope of Israel." The first issue was dated
August 10, 1863, and was issued from Hartford, Mich. Enos Easton was editor
and Samuel Davison and Gilbert Cranmer were leaders of the work. Some of
those supporting the paper were loosely organized under the name "Church of
Christ" while others held to the name "Church of God." But they were united
in faith in the soon coming of Christ and a number of other doctrines, and also
were opposed to accepting the "visions" of Mrs. E. G. White.
The paper was soon move'd to Waverly, Mich., where publication continued
until October 1865, when it was forced to discontinue for lack of financial support.
In the month of May 1866, "The Hope of Israel" was revived, being issued at
Marion, Iowa, by an association of some of the original group, and others who
had joined with them, under the name "Christian Publishing Association."
The movement had received fresh impetus through two prominent Adyentist
ministers, who had refused to accept the inspiration of Mrs. E. G. White, joining
with them. These were B. P. Snook and W. H. Brinkerhoff, who with W. E.
Carver, were the leaders of the revived work. Later Jacob Brinkerhoff became
one of the principal leaders. The name "Church of God" was then in general
use by these brethren and soon was adopted as a distinctive name. The ministers
were practically all evangelists, and local churches were established throughout
the country.
The history of the church is closely connected with the history of the publica-
tion which continued to be published in Marion, Iowa, until the year 1889, when
it was moved to Stanberry, Moc The name of the paper was changed several
times, and it is now known as "The Bible Advocate and Herald of the Coming
Kingdom."
Some of the churches formed remained independent from the general organiza-
tion, although holding the same beliefs. In 1906 these were registered as a
separate body under the title of Churches of God (Adventist) Unattached Con-
gregations. Many such independent groups still exist.
DOCTRINE
The Church of God (Adventist) has no formal written creed but believes in
constantly growing in the knowledge of the Bible, which it accepts as the sole rale
of faith and practice. Among the doctrines upon which the church as a whole
stands united are: (1) The observance of the seventh day of the week as the
Sabbath. (2) The literal and premillennial second coming of Christ, and that
present-day events indicate that this will take place soon. (3) The unconscious
state of the dead. (4) The resurrection of the righteous dead at the second
advent of Christ and their reign with Christ on the earth during 1,000 years of
restitution. (5) The complete destruction of the wicked at the end of the 1,000
years. (6) The eternal reward of the righteous on the earth, made new.
(7) That Christ was crucified on Wednesday and arose near sundown Saturday.
(8) That the Lord's Supper service was instituted by Christ to take the place of
the ancient Passover, and should be observed annually, at the time of the Passover.
(9) That the Ten Commandment law is recognized in Scripture as distinct from
the Law of Moses. (10) That sin is the transgression of the Ten Commandment
law. (11) That acceptance of Christ is followed by repentance/baptism by im-
mersion in water, and the reception of the Holy Spirit, followed by Hghteous living.
* This statement, which differs somewhat from that published in vol. II of the Report on
Bodies, 1926, was furnished by Roy Davison, president, General Conference of the Church of God, Stan-
berry, Mo., and approved by him in its present form.
OHUKOH OF GOD (ADVENTIST) 37
ORGANIZATION
In polity the denomination is essentially congregational. This is modified
somewhat by the fact that a large proportion of the membership is composed of
isolated members. Where there are enough members in a State, they are organized
into a local conference. At this writing there are nine such conference organiza-
tions, some of which include several States. Each local conference has an executive
board which directs the evangelistic work in its territory. Of the tithes received,
one-tenth is sent for the work of the General Conference, which includes all the local
conferences and all unorganized territory.
Candidates for the ministry first are issued licenses on recommendation of a
church or conference. After having gained experience and proven their calling,
they may be ordained into the ministry by prayer and the laying on of hands in a
public service, by other ordained ministers of the church. Ministers are referred
to by the title "elder," no other religious titles indicating office being used.
WORK
The organized conferences employ evangelists who work for the spreading of the
gospel and the building up of the church in their territories. Work in unorganized
territory is conducted by the General Conference, with funds given or allotted for
that purpose.
The church maintains one publishing house from which is issued many books
and tracts. Besides the general church paper, "The Bible Advocate," there are
also issued, "The Sabbath School Missionary and Young People's Friend," a
biweekly for children and young people; "The Field Messenger," a monthly
church news magazine; and "The Sabbath School Quarterly," a quarterly booklet
of Bible lessons. The printing plant is known as "The Church of God Publishing
House," and is located at Stanberry, Mo.
LIFE AND ADVENT UNION
STATISTICS
Summary for the TJnited States, with urban-rural classification. — A general
summary of the statistics for the Life and Advent Union for the year 1936 is
presented in table 1, which shows also the distribution of these figures between
urban and rural territory.
The membership of this denomination comprises those persons who have been
baptized, by immersion, and have subscribed to the articles of faith of the local
churches.
TABLE 1. — SUMMARY OF STATISTICS FOR CHURCHES IN URBAN ANB RURAL
TERRITORY, 1936
ITEM
Total
In urban
territory
In rural
territory
PERCENT OF
TOTAL 1
Urban
Rural
Ghurclies (local organizations), number
6
352
59
105
170
77
61.8
5
300
60
88
135
77
65.2
1
52
52
17
35
Members number -- - --
85.2
14.8
Average membership per church ..--
Membership by sex:
Male -
83.8
79.4
16 2
20.6
Female _- -
Sex not reported
Males per 100 females
00
Membership by age:
Under 13 years - _ _
13 years and. over -.
352
5
5
$42, 500
$42, 500
$8,500
3
$5, 250
2
6
$8, 916
$4, 605
$445
$194
$50
$1,564
$35
$289
$1,734
$1,486
4
41
181
300
4
4
$32, 500
$32, 500
$8,125
3
$5,250
1
5
$7, 572
$3,855
$301
$169
$50
$1,489
$10
$164
$1, 534
$1, 514
4
41
181
52
1
1
$10, 000
$10, 000
$10, 000
85.2
14.8
Cliurcli edifices, number - -.- -
Value — number reporting, _ . -
Amount reported _ -
76.5
76.5
23.5
23.5
Constructed prior to 1936 .
Average value per church
Debt — number reporting ,
Amount reported
i"
1
$1, 344
$750
$144
$25
100.0
Number reporting "no debt"
Expenditures :
Churches reporting, number
Amount reported ,_.. » _ ~ -
84.9
83.7
67.6
87,1
15.1
16.3
32 4
12 9
Pastors' salaries
All other salaries _„
Repairs and improvements
Payment on church debt, excluding in-
terest
All other current expenses, including in-
terest
$75
$25
$125
$200
$1, 344
95.2
4.8
Local relief and charity, Red Cross, etc
Foreign missions
56.7
88.5
43. 3
11.5
To general headquarters for distribution. _
Average expenditure per church
Sunday schools:
Churches reporting, number
Officers and teachers - -
Scholars -
100.0
1 Percent not shown where base is less than 100.
3 Ratio not shown where number of females is less than 100.
38
LIFE AND ADVENT UNION
39
Comparative data, 1906-36. — Table 2 presents, in convenient form for com-
parison, a summary of the available statistics of the Life and Advent Union for
the census years 1936, 1926, 1916, and 1906.
TABLE 2. — COMPAEATIVE SUMMARY, 1906 TO 1936
ITEM
1936
1926
1916
1906
Church.es (local organizations), number .
6
7
13
12
Increase i over preceding census:
Number .
-1
-6
1
Percent2
Members, number _
352
535
658
509
Increase * over preceding census:
Number
—183
—123
149
Percent
-34.2
—18.7
29 3
Average membership per church
59
76
51
42
Church edifices, number
5
7
8
6
Value — number reporting
5
7
8
6
Amount reported -
$42, 500
$91, 000
$41, 600
$29, 799
Average value per church
$8, 500
$13, 000
$5, 200
$4, 967
Debt — number reporting
3
4
3
Amount reported
$5, 250
$10, 500
$12, 250
$10, 300
Expenditures :
Churches reporting, number
6
6
11
Amount reported
$8, 916
$19, 861
$8, 996
Pastors' salaries - _
$4, 605
All other salaries __
$445
Repairs and improvements
$194
[ $13, 894
$7, 529
Payment on church debt, excluding interest
All other current expenses, including interest
Local relief and charity, Red Cross, etc
$50
$1, 564
$35
Foreign missions
$289
I $5, 967
$1, 467
To general headquarters for distribution _
$1, 734
Average expenditure per church
$1, 486
$3, 310
$818
Sunday schools :
Churches reporting, number -
4
7
9
7
Officers and teachers
41
76
73
45
Scholars
181
344
439
259
i A minus sign (— ) denotes decrease.
2 Percent not shown where base is less than 100.
State tables. — Tables 3, 4, and 5 present the statistics for the Life and Advent
Union by States. Table 3 gives for each State for 1936 the number and member-
ship of the churches classified according to their location in urban or rural territory,
membership classified by sex, and data for Sunday schools. Table 4 gives for
selected States the number and membership of the churches for the four census
years 1906 to 1936. Table 5 presents, for 1936, the church expenditures, showing
separately current expenses, improvements, benevolences, etc. In order to avoid
disclosing the financial statistics of any individual church, separate presentation
in table 5 is limited to the State of Connecticut, the only State in which three or
more churches reported expenditures.
40
CENSUS OF RELIGIOUS BODIES, 1936
TABLE 3. — NUMBER AND MEMBERSHIP OF CHURCHES IN URBAN AND RURAL
TERRITORY, MEMBERSHIP BY SEX, AND SUNDAY SCHOOLS, BY STATES, 1936
NUMBER OF
CHURCHES
NUMBER O?
MEMBERS
MEMBERSHIP BY
SEX
SUNDAY SCHOOLS
S
S
o
P)
GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION AND STATE
8,
M~*
2
03 23
2
PJ§
8?
co ,3
K>
d
a
03
§
W S
"o
S o
£
03
3
03
'*
2
CD
S
S
jrt
"o
o
y
0
•S
EH
P
rt
EH
t>
W
*
*
CQ
rf
o
O
CQ
United States
6
5
1
352
300
52
105
170
77
61.8
4
41
181
NEW ENGLAND:
Connecticut
g
3
197
!97
52
fiS
77
3
35
151
MIDDLE ATLANTIC:
New York
1
1
4S
43
1R
95
New Jersey
1
1
52
59
17
SOUTH ATLANTIC:
Virginia
1
1
....
60
60
18
42
1
6
30
i Ratio not shown where number of females is less than 100.
TABLE 4. — NUMBER AND MEMBERSHIP OF CHURCHES, 1906 TO 1936, BY STATES
[Separate presentation is limited to States having 3 or more churches in either 1936, 1926, 1916, or 1906 J
STATE
NUMBER OF CHUECHES
NUMBER OF MEMBERS
1936
19S6
1916
1906
1936
1936
1916
1906
United States ..
6
7
13
12
352
535
658
509
Maine. __
3
3
7
2
4
6
37
155
466
22
128
359
Connecticut ._ . «.-
3
13
3
4
197
155
231
304
Other States
i Includes 1 church each in the States of New York, New Jersey, and Virginia.
TABLE S. — CHURCH EXPENDITURES BY STATES, 1936
[Separate presentation is limited to States having 3 or more churches reporting)
EXPE
NDITUJ
^ES
«
,
T-J
•S
S
ja
"S
S
.3
*2
o
a
w
STATE
il number of
> reporting
1
1
M
1
nd improve!
on church
uding intere
ll
Ss
S.g
ef and chari
CO
o
1
9
§
a1
fl
"cfl
4J
1
1
«
fl
B
•g-s
CD
1
"2
a
S
3
3
-S
0
ex
9
S
*
o
W)
,5
o
CO
o
o
O
EH
<l
«
d)
o
fe
United States
6
6
n, 916
84, 805
$445
$194
S50
81, 564
S35
$289
$1 734
Connecticut ..
3
3
5,715
3,100
301
169
50
961
10
164
960
Other States
3
i 3
3,201
1,505
144
25
603
25
125
774
i Includes 1 church each in the States of New York, New Jersey, and Virginia,
LIFE AND ADVENT UNION 41
HISTORY, DOCTRINE, AND ORGANIZATION 1
DENOMINATIONAL HISTORY
The doctrine that there will be no resurrection of the wicked was preached in
1848 by John T. Walsh, then an associate editor of the Bible Examiner, an
Adventist periodical published in New York City. A considerable number of
Adveritists joined him and in 1863 the Life and Advent Union was organized in
Wilbraham, Mass., and the Herald of Life was founded as the denominational
organ, with George Storrs as its first editor. The number of churches has not
been large, but a number of people hold the views of the Union who are not
enrolled in its organized churches. Of these it is impossible to give any estimate.
DOCTRINE
In matters of doctrine they are in accord with the earlier Adventists except in
regard to the resurrection and the millennium. They hold that the righteous
dead only will be raised and that eternal life is bestowed solely at the second
coming of Christ; that the millennium, the one thousand years of Revelation xx,
had its fulfillment in the past and, instead of being a time of peace and happiness,
was a period of religious persecution and suffering; that this earth, purified by
fire and renewed in beauty, will be the eternal inheritance and dwelling place of
God's people, in which the wicked dead will have no share at all, their sleep being
eternal. They believe that omens of the near approach of Christ are to be dis-
cerned in the widespread weakening of faith in an inspired Bible, the general
condition of unrest and perplexity among the nations, and kindred developments
along many lines.
ORGANIZATION
In polity the Life and Advent Union is distinctly congregational; associations
are for fellowship and have no ecclesiastical authority. Home and foreign mis-
sionary work and the publication of the Herald of Life are under the control of
the Governing Council, consisting of two delegates from each member organiza-
tion, and an Executive Board, elected annually by the Governing Council. Min-
isters are ordained, either at their own request or on request of a church, and after
proper examination by a committee appointed for the purpose.
The control of the spiritual interests of the Life and Advent Union is vested in
a Ministerial Board consisting of five members, elected annually during the an-
nual meeting of the Life and Advent Camp Meeting Association, by the ordained
ministers of the Life and Advent Union in good and regular standing, from
among their members.
WORK
The activities of the Life and Advent Union consist of maintaining mission
work in China and aiding weak churches in this country. The headquarters of
the China work are in Ho-Hsien, Anhwei, the work being carried on by native
pastors and teachers under the supervision of an American missionary. The
amount spent for mission work in 1936 was approximately $6,000.
Two camp meetings are held annually — -one in Maine and one in Connecticut
(which is the principal one). The official publication of the denomination is
the Herald of Life, issued biweekly at New Britain, Conn. This paper has a
circulation in the United States and in several foreign countries.
i This statement, which is substantially the same as that published in vol. II of the Report on Religious
Bodies, 1920, has been revised by H. L. Babcock, editor emeutus of the Herald of Life, New Britain, Conn.,
and approved by him in its present form.
CHURCH OF GOD (OREGON, ILL.)
(FoKMERLy REPORTED AS CHURCHES OF GOD IN CHRIST JESUS)
STATISTICS
Summary for the United States, with urban -rural classification, — A general
summary of the statistics for the Church of God (Oregon, 111.) for the year 1936
is presented in table 1, which shows also the distribution of these figures between
urban and rural territory.
The membership of this denomination comprises those persons who have been
admitted to the church upon profession of faith and baptism by immersion.
TABLE l.~
-SUMMARY OF STATISTICS FOR CHURCHES IN URBAN AND RURAL TERRI-
TORY, 1936
ITEM
Total
In urban
territory
In rural
territory
PEECENT OF
TOTAL 1
Urban
Rural
Church.es (local organizations), number
71
4, 163
59
1,618
2,545
63.6
114
3, 151
898
3.5
51
48
$137, 755
$131, 105
$6, 650
$2, 870
$8, 817
33
5
4
$4, 900
65
$36, 308
$20, 649
$1, 489
$4, 103
$2,094
$5, 379
$787
$266
$214
$741
$559
60
490
2,967
27
1,767
65
669
1,098
60.9
98
1,564
105
5.9
21
19
$76, 225
$72, 575
$3, 650
$4, 012
4
$6, 717
14
3
2
$2, 500
25
$20, 427
$10, 870
$773
$2, 553
$1, 519
$3, 184
$539
$104
$189
$290
$406
$817
25
228
1,525
44
2,396
54
949
1,447
65 6
16
1,587
793
1.0
30
29
$62, 530
$58, 530
$3, 000
$2, 122
2
$2, 100
19
2
2
$2,400
40
$15, 881
$9, 779
$716
$1, 550
$575
$2, 195
$248
$162
$25
$296
$335
$397
35
262
1,442
Members, number «.
42.4
57.6
Average membership per church
Membership by sex*
Male
41 3
43.1
58.*
56 9
Female
Males per 100 females
Membership by age:
Under 13 years
86.0
49.6
11.7
14.0
50.4
88.3
13 years and over
Age not reported «. _ __
Percent under 13 years 2
Church edifices, number
Value — number reporting
Amount reported
55 3
55 4
54 9
44.7
44.6
45.1
Constructed prior to 1936
Constructed, wholly or in part, in 1936.
Avcr age value per church
Debt — number reporting
Amount reported.. _ _
76.2
23.8
Number reporting "no debt"
Parsonages, number
Value — number reporting
Amount reported
51.0
49.0
Expenditures :
Churches reporting, number
Amount reported _ _, _
56 3
52.6
51 9
62.2
72.5
59.2
68.5
39.1
88.3
49.5
54.8
43.7
47.4
48.1
37.8
27.5
40.8
31.5
60.9
11.7
50.5
45.2
Pastors' salaries -
All other salaries __ __
Repairs and improvements
Payment on church debt, excluding in-
terest
All other current expenses, including in-
terest
Local relief and charity, Red Cross, etc...
Home missions _. ,.
Foreign missions
To general headquarters for distribiition..
All other purposes
Average expenditure per church __
Sunday schools :
Churches reporting, number _.
Officers and teachers
46.5
51.4
53.5
48.6
Scholars _
1 Percent not shown where base is less than 100.
* Based on membership with age classification reported.
4.9
CHUBCH OF GOD (OREGON, ILL.)
43
Comparative data, 1906-86. — Table 2 presents, in convenient form for compari-
son, a summary of the available statistics of the Church of God (Oregon, 111.) for
the census years 1936, 1926, 1916, and 1906.
TABLE 2. — COMPARATIVE SUMMARY, 1906 TO 1936
ITEM
1936
1926
1916
1906
Churches (local organizations), number _„
71
86
87
62
Increase * over preceding census:
Number - -
— 15
—1
25
Percent2 _ _
M** inters, TUJTnhor
4 163
3 528
3 457
2 124
Increase over preceding census:
ISPumber - -
635
71
1 333
Percent
18 0
2 i
62 8
Average membership per church - -
59
41
40
34
Church edifices, number
51
54
52
37
Value — number reporting _ _
48
52
52
36
Amount reported
$137 755
$164 600
$78 870
$53 650
Average value per church ..
$? 870
$3 165
$1 517
$1, 490
Dgfot — number reporting
6
7
Amount reported
$8 817
$13 700
$1 290
Parsonages, number __ - ,
5
Value — number reporting -_
4
2
3
1
Amount reported
$4 900
$6 500
$4 050
$3 000
Expenditures :
Churches reporting, number _
65
63
59
Amount reported
$36 308
$41 935
$13 016
Pastors' salaries
$20, 649
All other salaries
$1 489
' Repairs and improvements _. . _.
$4, 103
> $33, 587
$11, 246
Payment on church debt, excluding interest...
All other current expenses, including interest-
Local relief and charity, Red Cross, etc
$2, 094
$5, 379
$787
Home missions
$266
Foreign missions
$214
> $8, 348
$1 770
To general headquarters for distribution
$586
All other purposes
$741
Average expenditure per church . _
$559
$666
$221
Sunday schools :
rjhnrfihfis r6Pnrtifrgr ntimbftf
60
42
55
30
Officers and teachers - - - .
490
295
358
193
Scholars _.
2,967
1,877
2,493
895
1 A minus sign (— ) denotes decrease.
2 Percent not shown where base is less than 100.
State tables.— Tables 3, 4, 5, and 6 present the statistics for the Church of God,
headquarters, Oregon, 111., by States. Table 3 gives for each State for 1936 the
number and membership of the churches classified according to their location in
urban or rural territory, membership classified by sex, and data for Sunday
schools. Table 4 gives for selected States the number and membership of the
churches for the four census years 1906 to 1936, together with the membership for
1936 classified as "under 13 years of age" and "13 years of age and over." Table
5 shows the value of church edifices and the amount of debt on such property for
1936. Table 6 presents, for 1936, the church expenditures, showing separately
current expenses, improvements, benevolences, etc. In order to avoid disclosing
the financial statistics of any individual church, separate presentation in tables
5 and 6 is limited to those States in which three or more churches reported value
and expenditures.
44
CENSUS OF EELIGIOUS BODIES, 1936
TABLE 8. — NUMBER AND MEMBERSHIP OF CHURCHES IN URBAN AND RURAL
TERRITORY, MEMBERSHIP BY SEX, AND SUNDAY SCHOOLS, BY STATES, 1936
GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION
AND STATE
NUMBER OF
CHURCHES
NUMBER OF
MEMBERS
MEMBERSHIP BY
SEX
SUNDAY SCHOOLS
3
£
Urban
2
«
3
£
1
P
1
tf
2
cd
3
,2
£
Males per 100
females 1
Churches re-
porting
Officers and
teachers
Scholars
United States
MIDDLE ATLANTIC:
Now York
71
27
44
4,163
1,767
2,396
1,618
2,545
63,8
60
490
2,967
30
642
435
532
230
158
60
1
6
9
12
2
4
1
3
4
5
1
;o
638
506
601
206
233
200
42
177
90
60
33
360
30
92
115
121
55
97
258
39
140
70
415
221
180
106
35
249
189
239
57
94
75
20
71
36
25
7
150
15
31
35
53
19
37
113
13
55
35
389
317
362
149
139
325
22
106
54
35
26
210
15
61
80
68
36
60
145
26
85
1
6
8
11
2
3
8
7
75
76
106
23
25
17
EAST NORTH CENTRAL*
Ohio
3
5
7
1
4
8
1
3
1
1
1
1
2
1
......
193
285
421
100
233
200
25
134
15
60
33
360
30
32
""l02"
64.0
59.6
66.0
38.3
67.6
60.0
Indiana
Illinois ...
Michigan
WEST NORTH CENTRAL-
Minnesota
Iowa
8
Missouri
2
4
2
1
1
1
1
1
17
43
75
Nebraska
67 0
3
1
1
1
1
2
2
1
1
1
2
2
1
2
21
11
6
6
3
14
16
14
8
7
15
17
6.
17
63
35
15
12
50
60
140
200
25
44
70
70
21
75
Kansas
SOUTH ATLANTIC:
Virginia
West Virginia
South Carolina
1
71.4
WEST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Arkansas _ _
2
Louisiana
2
1
3
1
2
4
1
2
1
1
]
1
1
2
1
2
60
115
19
55
35
147
39
140
Oklahoma
Texas.
MOUNTAIN:
Idaho
77.9
Arizona - , „„-
1
2
62
111
PACIFIC:
Washington
Oregon
California .
i Ratio not shown where number of females is less than 100.
CHURCH OF GOD (OREGON, ILL.)
45
TABLE 4. — NUMBER AND MEMBERSHIP OF CHURCHES, 1906 TO 1936, AND
MEMBERSHIP BY AGE IN 1936, BY STATES
[Separate presentation is limited to States having 3 or more churches in either 1936, 1926, 1916, or 1906]
GEOGEAPHIC DIVISION
AND STATE
NUMBER OF CHURCHES
NUMBER OF MEMBERS
MEMBERSHIP BY AGE,
1936
1936
1926
1916
1906
1936
1936
1916
1906
Under 13
years
13 years
and over
11
|1
^ ^
Percent
under 13 1
United States
71
86
87
62
4,163
3,528
3,457
2,124
114
3,151
898
3.5
EAST NORTH CENTRAL:
Ohio
6
9
12
2
4
8
2
4
2
1
6
10
11
6
4
8
4
7
1
3
3
3
1
4
3
1
11
6
11
10
8
4
13
10
9
638
506
601
206
233
200
42
177
90
60
510
412
380
202
228
144
120
258
26
97
81
155
14
117
167
27
590
372
663
276
338
175
696
274
328
1
40
17
3
5
637
318
524
203
228
200
.2
11.2
3 1
1.5
2.1
Indiana.. .
148
60
Illinois
Michigan
WEST NORTH CENTRAL:
Minnesota
Iowa
9
2
8
1
4
4
10
7
6
2
4
3
1
208
81
164
15
102
153
499
281
145
47
96
48
50
Missouri
17
68
90
25
109
Nebraska
Kansas
SOUTH ATLANTIC:
Virginia
60
North Carolina
WEST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Arkansas.-
2
1
3
4
1
210
30
115
121
258
39
847
30
100
36
147
39
454
Oklahoma
2
33
15
"85"
111
13.0
Texas
PACIFIC-
Washington
1
1
5
2
3
3
40
30
235
56
62
114
Oregon
Other States
33
360
6.8
1 Based on membership with age classification reported.
2 Includes 2 churches in each of the following States— Louisiana, Arizona, and California; and 1 in each of
the following— New York, West Virginia, South Carolina, and Idaho.
TABLE 5. — VALUE OF CHTTKCHES AND AMOUNT OF CHURCH DEBT BY STATES, 1936
[Separate presentation is limited to States having 3 or more churches reporting value of edifices]
GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION AND STATE
Total
number
of
churches
Number
of church
edifices
VALUE OF CHURCH
EDIFICES
DEBT ON CHURCH
EDIFICES
Churches
reporting
Amount
Churches
reporting
Amount
United States
71
51
48
$137, 755
35, 600
14, 500
24, 100
6,400
5,800
4,130
7,500
39, 725
6
$8, 817
EAST NORTH CENTRAL:
Ohio
6
9
12
4
8
4
4
24
5
7
8
4
3
3
3
18
5
6
7
4
3
3
3
U7
1
4,400
Indiana
Illinois
2
3,300
WEST NORTH CENTRAL:
Minnesota
Iowa
1
166
Nebraska
PACIFIC:
Washington
Other States
2
1,017
' Includes 2 churches in each of the following States— Michigan, Kansas, Louisiana, and California; and
1 in each of the following— New York, Missouri, Virginia, South Carolina, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas,
Idaho, and Arizona.
46
CENSUS OF RELIGIOUS BODIES, 1936
TABLE 6. — CHURCH EXPENDITURES BY STATES, 1936
[Separate presentation is limited to States having 3 or more churches reporting]
1
EXPENDITURES
£
W)
C
s
o fl
w ^
S3 S
fl
^
»
GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION AND
STATE
JS
I
a
fl
S
cs
g
CJ
a
9 a
a o
II
a
S
fl
o
GJ
"^ »S
1
s
0
w
«
"9
2 ^-w
S -WS
CD %
S3
s
d
a
•a
1
E
j§
HP
«*?§
°ls
€
ri
d
W)
&
1
3
O
J3
1
03
"o
ft
QJ
||f
Isl
1
O
1
o
o
&
0
•4
PS
^
o
w
fc
E-i
^
United States ...
71
65
$36 308
$20 649
$1 489
$4 103
$2 094
$5 379
HH7
$flflfl
$9il4
$586
$741
EAST NORTH CENTRAL-
==:
Ohio
6
6
9 575
5 075
477
1 979
175
1 587
232
50
Indiana
9
9
2 4,31
1 487
167
150
24
433
30
60
45
35
Illinois
12
12
6 334
3 675
236
402
620
793
114
rs
5
211
220
WEST NORTH CENTRAL:
Minnesota
4
4
1 908
1 475
75
50
157
5
7*?
35
30
Iowa
8
8
1,085
960
75
50
Nebraska
4
870
300
15
415
73
K,
16
46
PACIFIC:
Washington
4
4
1 330
720
96
83
269
17
50
25
56
Other States
24
119
12, 769
6,957
423
1,024
1,200
2,017
364
83
149
254
298
i Includes 2 churches in each of the following States— Michigan, Kansas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas,
Arizona, and California, and 1 in each of the following— New York, Virginia, West Virginia, Oklahoma,
and Idaho.
HISTORY, DOCTRINE, AND ORGANIZATION1
DENOMINATIONAL HISTORY
With, the development of church life independent of denominational organiza-
tions, many churches throughout the country were organized under various
names, such as Church of the Blessed Hope, Brethren of the Abrahamic Faith,
Restitutionists, Restitution Church, Church of God, and Age to Come Adventists.
Some were loosely affiliated but refused to be identified with any denomination,
although, in general, they were Adventist in their doctrine. In November 1888
representatives from a number of such churches met in Philadelphia and organ-
ized the association known as Churches of God in Christ Jesus, which is in
general accord with the Adventist bodies and is classed with them, although
the term "Adventist" does not appear in its title.
In August 1921 a General Conference was organized at Waterloo, Iowa.
Headquarters were located at Oregon, 111., at which place are maintained the
general offices.
DOCTRINE
The churches belonging to this association have no creed but the Bible. The
members, however, believe:
1. That there is one God, the supreme creator and controller of all things, who
is a lovable, loving, and approachable Father, and a re warder of all who diligently
seek Him and keep His commandments.
2. That the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came into existence as set
forth in the Gospels and gave His life as a sacrificial offering for our sins; that
those who believe in Him and obey His teachings may through Him have their
sins forgiven; that Christ arose from the dead on the third day and, after meet-
ing with His disciples on several occasions, was taken up into heaven, there to
remain with God until certain things foretold by the prophets shall have been
accomplished.
i This statement, which is substantially the same as that published in vol. II of the Report on Religious
Bodies, 1926, has been revised by Sydney E. Magaw, secretary and editor, National Bible Institution,
Oregon, 111., and approved by him in its present form.
CHURCH OF GOD (OREGON, ILL.) 47
3. That Christ will come again personally (a) to give immortal life to those
who have been faithful, raising the dead and changing the living; (6) to establish
the kingdom of God on earth, which, with its capital city at Jerusalem, will be
gradually extended until all nations and races of mankind are brought under
His sovereignty; and to restore to its ancient heritage and God's favor the
Israelitish nation, which will then be the most favored nation in this kingdom;
(c) to reward the immortal saints as joint heirs with Christ, according to their
works, giving to each a position of honor and trust as joint ruler with Christ in
the kingdom of God; (d) to mete out to the ungodly "the wages of sin/' even the
second death.
4. That obedience to the commandments of God is obligatory upon all
Christians, the first act necessary being baptism for the remission of sins.
5. That those who believe the gospel message, repent of their sins, and are
baptized, have entered into covenant relationship with God, their part of the
covenant being that they will live useful lives of faith and good works, God's
part being that if they remain faithful unto the end He will give them eternal
life and positions of honor and trust in His kingdom.
Candidates for admission into the churches are required to confess faith in
God. and in the promises of the gospel; to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord,
Saviour, and King; and to covenant to live Christian lives. On this confession
candidates are baptized by immersion.
ORGANIZATION
In polity the churches are congregational. For fellowship and general work
they gather in State and district conferences, which, however, exercise no authority
over the individual churches, being wholly advisory, educational, and evangelistic
in character. Each local church adapts its organization to circumstances. In
some cases they have pastors, in others the services are conducted by elders
or presidents. The term "minister," as understood among them, is applied to the
person in spiritual charge of the congregation, or who preaches the gospel. There
is no formal method of ordination. Ministers are authorized by the several
State conferences, who, on application, are, after confirmation as to character,
recognized by the General Conference. The general attitude toward other
denominations is liberal, the invitation to the communion service being extended
to all Christians, leaving each individual to be his own judge as to participation.
WORK
The home mission work of the churches is conducted by a number of evangelists,
who are supported by voluntary contributions. A Bible Training School is
maintained at Oregon, 111., for those who wish to qualify for the ministry or for
other active church work. In addition to this, literature, quarterly and annual
gatherings, and Bible classes in various centers are used as mediums for educa-
tional work. There is a young people's society, called the Bereans, which has a
national organization, with affiliated State organizations and local societies.
There are about 25 of these local societies with about 500 members. Sunday
schools, ladies' aid societies, and similar educational and charitable institutions
are also conducted as a part of the general work of the churches.
In the Golden Rule Home, at Oregon, 111., provision is made to care for aged
persons and others who may need such care.
Denominational printing is done by the National Bible Institution, Oregon, 111.
PRIMITIVE ADVENT CHRISTIAN CHURCH
STATISTICS
A summary of the statistics for the Primitive Advent Christian Church for the
year 1936 is presented, which shows the distribution of these data between urban
and rural territory.
No parsonages were reported. All churches are reported from the State of
West Virginia.
The Primitive Advent Christian Church is a recent development from the
Advent Christian Church. As this denomination was reported for the first time
in 1936, no comparative figures are available. This body failed to furnish its
history, doctrine, or the facts of organization.
A SUMMARY OF STATISTICS FOR CHURCHES IN URBAN AND RURAL TERRITORY, 1936
ITEM
Total
In urban
territory
In rural
territory
PERCENT OF
TOTAL 1
Urban
Rural
Churches (local organizations), number
14
538
38
202
336
60.1
2
536
0.4
13
13
$15, 300
$14, 100
$1, 200
$1, 177
2
$543
2
14
$1, 637
$716
$108
$556
$135
$32
$9
$37
$44
$117
3
20
195
1
70
70
27
43
(2)
13
468
36
175
293
59. 7
2
466
0.4
12
12
$13, 700
$12, 500
$1, 200
$1, 142
1
$143
2
13
$1, 393
$611
$84
$556
$35
$17
$9
$37
$44
$107
2
13
139
Members, number
13.0
87.0
Average membership per church
Membership by sex
Male _
13.4
12.8
86.6
87.2
Female
Males per 100 females
Membership by age:
XTnder 13 years
13 years and over
70
13.1
86.9
Percent under 13 years
Church, edifices, number
1
1
$1, 600
$1, 600
Valuft — number reporting
Amount reported
10.5
11.3
89.5
88 7
100.0
Constructed prior to 1936
Constructed, wholly or in part, in 1936.
Average value per church
$1, 600
1
$400
Debt — number reporting
Amount reported
73.7
26 3
Number reporting "no debt"
Expenditures :
Churches reporting, number
1
$244
$105
$24
Amount reported.
14 9
14.7
22.2
85 1
85 3
77 8
100. 0
25 9
Pastors' salaries
All other salaries
Hepairs and improvements
Payment on church debt, excluding in-
terest
$100
$15
74.1
All other current expenses, including in-
terest
Home missions _.._.
To general headquarters for distribution..
All other purposes
Average expenditure per church
$244
1
7
56
Sunday schools :
Churches reporting, number
Officers and teachers
Scholars _
28.7
71.3
1 Percent not shown where base is less than 100
i Ratio not shown where number of females is less than 100.
48
AFRICAN ORTHODOX CHURCH
STATISTICS
Summary for the United States, with urban-rural classification. — A general
summary of the statistics for the African Orthodox Church for the year 1936 is
presented in table 1, which shows also the distribution of these figures between
urban and rural territory. These statistics were compiled from schedules sent
directly to the Bureau by the pastor or clerk of the individual churches and the
data relate to these churches only.
The membership of this denomination includes all baptized persons, infants as
well as adults.
TABLE 1. — SUMMARY OF STATISTICS FOR CHURCHES IN URBAN AND EURAL TER-
RITORY, 1936
ITEM
Total
In urban
territory
In rural
territory
PEECENT OF
TOTAL 1
Urban
Rural
Church.es (local organizations), number
13
1,952
150
789
1,163
67.8
367
1,527
58
19.4
4
4
$36, 204
$33, 654
$2, 550
$9, 051
3
$30,913
1
12
$12, 621
$2,807
$1, 016
$790
$1,336
$5, 167
$398
$239
$156
$308
$404
$1, 052
12
89
747
11
1,907
173
762
1,145
66.6
365
1,484
58
19.7
3
3
$35,300
$33, 000
$2,300
$11,767
3
$30,913
1
11
$12,478
$2,807
$1, 016
$790
$1,336
$5, 167
$365
$190
$156
$291
$360
$1, 134
10
80
701
2
45
23
27
18
(2)
2
43
Members, number .
97.7
2.3
Average membership per church
Membership by sex:
Male
96.6
98.5
3.4
1.5
Female
Males per 100 females
Membership by age:
Under 13 years
99.5
97.2
.5
2.8
13 years and over _
Age not reported
Percent under 13 years3.. .
0)
1
1
$904
$654
$250
$904
OhliroK eclffioes, TiUTnber ,„,,...
Value— number reporting
Amount reported _
97.5
98.1
90.2
2.5
1.9
9.8
Constructed prior to 1936
Constructed, wholly or in part, in 1936
Average value per church .
Debt- — number reporting
Amount reported.
100.0
Parsonages, number _ _ _- _ .
Expenditures :
Churchps reporting, number
1
$143
Amount reported
98.9
100.0
100.0
100.0
1.1
Pastors' salaries
All other salaries
Repairs and improvements
Payment on church debt, excluding interest
All other current expenses, including interest
Local relief and charity, Red Cross, etc
100.0
$3§"
$49
"$17"
$44
$143
2
9
46
100.0
91.7
79.5
100.0
94.5
89.1
8~3
20.5
Foreign missions _
To general headquarters for distribution
6.5
10.9
All other purposes
Average expenditure per church
Sunday schools :
Churches reporting number
Officers and teachers
Scholars
93.8
6.2
* Percent not shown where base is less than 100.
2 Ratio not shown where number of females is less than 100.
s Based on membership with age classification reported.
50
CENSUS OF RELIGIOUS BODIES, 1936
Comparative data, 1936 and 1926, — Table 2 presents, in convenient form for
comparison, a summary of the available statistics of the African Orthodox
Church for the census years 1936 and 1926.
TABLE 2. — COMPARATIVE SUMMARY, 1936 AND 1926
ITEM
1936
1926
ITEM
1936
1936
Churclies (local organizations),
number _.
13
13
Expenditures:
Churches reporting, number.
12
13
Amount reported ._
$12, 621
$19, 368
Members, number
1,952
1, 568
Pastors' salaries
$2, 807
Incrssso over pr6C6dins' C6n~
All other salaries
$1 010
sus:
Number _- - ..
384
Repairs and improve-
ments- -. _-_
$790
Percent
24.5
Paymenton church debt,
>$18,211
Avftrag'R TT)6Tnhp>,rsWp pfiT
excluding interest
$1, 33C
church
150
121
All other current ex-
Church edifices, number
4
penses, including in-
terest - .
$5, 167
Value — number reporting
4
Local relief and charity,
Amount reported
$36 204
Red Cross, etc.
$398
Average value per
Home missions- ... ...
$239
church
$9, 051
Foreign missions .,
$156
Debt — number reporting .
3
To general headquarters
$1, 157
Amount ffipnrt.fid
$30 913
for distribution
$308
All other purposes
$404
Parsonages, number
1
Average expenditure per
church
$1, 052
$1, 490
Sunday schools:
Churches reporting, number.
Officers and teachers
12
89
11
49
Scholars
747
445
State tables, — Tables 3, 4, and 5 present the statistics for the African Orthodox
Church by States. Table 3 gives for each State for 1936 the number and member-
ship of the churches classified according to their location in urban or rural terri-
tory, membership classified by sex, and data for Sunday schools. Table 4 gives
the number and membership of the churches for the census years 1936 and 1926,
together with the membership for 1936 classified as "under 13 years of age" and
"13 years of age and over." Table 5 presents, for 1936, the church expendi-
tures, showing separately current expenses, improvements, benevolences, etc.
TABLE 3. — NUMBER AND MEMBERSHIP OF CHURCHES IN URBAN AND RURAL
TERRITORY, MEMBERSHIP BY SEX, AND SUNDAY SCHOOLS, BY STATES, 1936
NUMBER OF
CHURCHES
NUMBER OF
MEMBERS
MEMBERSHIP BY
SEX
SUNDAY
SCHOOLS
g
i
"C
GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION AND STATE
r"1 OT
** bjd
S ^
W H
<u
a
.-t
P)
,-»
'i
o3 i
B'w
03
£
•e
P?
o
•s
P
1
M
i
3"
A
O
O
•s
CO
United States
1ft
11
9
1,952
1,907
45
789
1 163
67.8
1^
R9
747
NEW ENGLAND
Massachusetts _ _
1
i
115
115
56
59
(i)
1
fi
32
MIDDLE ATLANTIC:
New York -- ~- - ,. ,-
7
7
1,640
1,640
644
996
64.7
7
56
545
SOUTH ATLANTIC:
Florida
5
3
2
197
152
45
89
108
82.4
4
27
170
i Ratio not shown where number of females is less than 100.
AFRICAN ORTHODOX CHURCH
51
TABLE 4. — NUMBER AND MEMBERSHIP OF CHURCHES, 1936 AND 1926, AND
MEMBERSHIP BY AGE IN 1936, BY STATES
STATE
NXTMBEE OF
CHURCHES
NUMBER OF
MEMBERS
MEMBERSHIP FT AGE, 1936
1936
1936
1936
1936
Under
13 years
13 years
and
over
Age not
re-
ported
Percent
under
13 i
United States
13
1
13
1,952
1,568
367
1,527
__.
58
19.4
Massachusetts
3
1
115
378
55
916
46
173
21
18.3
Connecticut . - --
New York
7
6
1
1,640
329
1,311
20.1
Illinois
Florida - „
5
2
197
17
122
58
12.2
i Based on membership with age classification reported.
TABLE 5. — CHTJRCH EXPENDITURES BY STATES, 1936
,0
EXPENDITURES
JI
,
fl h
<8"
>>
B
o
0
rt d
p "**
n?
t-i
0
a
t
•S'S
0.2
•s
H
§
$
STATE
8
M
-t-3
&
•c
^+s
^'fl
"fl
ri
o
*§
§,
f
a
o S
p "*
0
I
(H
M
0
"3
g
§s
n1
0
M
H
«
a
PJ
i
E
1
B§
£
a
d
s
1
j3
3
3
•2
0
Si"® t?
^ d
03
g
as
bo
o
o
.CI
oj^3 <»
o
o
0
B
PH
4
tf
O
^
M
fr
EH
^
United States
13
12
$12, 821
$2, 807
$1, 016
S790
81, 336
$5, 187
$398
$239
$156
$308
$404
Massachusetts
1
7
1
7
}i 11, 242
2,300
926
780
1,000
5,158
350
178
64
201
285
New York
Florida
5
4
1,379
507
90
10
336
9
48
61
92
107
119
1 Amount for Massachusetts combined with figures for New York, to avoid disclosing the financial
statistics of any individual church.
HISTORY, DOCTRINE, AND ORGANIZATION 1
DENOMINATIONAL HISTORY
The African Orthodox Church came into existence in 1921, after a preliminary
period of preparation. The Reverend Dr. George Alexander McGuire, for many
years a priest in the Protestant Episcopal Church, believing that Negro Epis-
copalians should conduct and control their own religious organization, as their
Methodist and Baptist brethren have done for over a century, withdrew from the
Anglican communion in 1919 and established a number of congregations in the
United States, Canada, and Cuba, which he designated "Independent Epis-
copal." On September 2, 1921, the first General Synod was convened in the
city of New York for the purpose of organizing a branch of the Holy Catholic
Church which should be governed by persons of African descent and should gather
in churchmen of this particular race in both hemispheres, yet not refuse persons
of other racial groups who might voluntarily seek to enter its membership or
receive its sacraments. At this synod the name "African Orthodox" was
chosen as the distinctive title of the new church, and the organizer, the Rev-
erend Dr. ^McGuire, was unanimously elected as its first bishop, receiving the
consecration 3 weeks later from Archbishop Vilatte, whose episcopate had been
derived from the West Syrian Jacobite Church of Antioch by special mandate of
i No revision of the history, doctrine, or organization was furnished by this body for 1936, hence this state-
ment is the same as that published in vol. II of the Report on Religious B odies, 1926. No data are available
for "Work" in 1936.
52 CENSUS OF RELIGIOUS BODIES, 1936
the patriarch, Peter Ignatius III. Thus the African Orthodox Church derived
its apostolic succession and became episcopal in government and polity; and
while it is autonomous and independent, it aspires to be recognized as an integral
portion of the Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church.
DOCTRINE
The African Orthodox Church accepts the Holy Scriptures, as well as the
Holy Tradition, as the source of divine truth; it accepts the Nicene Creed,
without the "filioque" interpolation, as of obligation, but believes also in the
symbols known as the Apostles' Creed and the Creed of St. Athanasius. It
accepts the dogmatic decrees of the Seven Ecumenical Councils held between the
fourth and the eighth centuries. It receives as a portion of the original deposit
of faith the Seven Sacraments. It holds that the Eucharist is both a sacrament
and a sacrifice offered for the living and the dead. Marriage being one of the
sacraments, it holds that there should be no dissolution of its bonds except for
the cause of adultery or malicious desertion, and no priest may marry a divorced
person unless he or she be the innocent party in a divorce granted by a proper
court for the causes mentioned, and then only by permission of his bishop in
each such case of remarriage.
The denomination has set forth its own sacred liturgy, with other rites and
ceremonies. Generally speaking, it follows the Western rite and is a combina-
tion of Anglican, Roman, and, in a few instances, Greek Orthodox formularies,
prepared with the special purpose of making an appeal to Negro Episcopalians
and Roman Catholics. The mass is the chief service each Sunday, and in the
bestowing of holy orders the Roman forms of ordination and consecration are
followed. The vestments used in worship are those prescribed by the Western
rite and the hymnal that which is known as Hymns Ancient and Modern.
Membership is counted as in the Roman Catholic Church, not by communi-
cants, but by the persons baptized.
ORGANIZATION
The polity of the African Orthodox Church conforms to that of all churches
which regard the episcopacy as the central source of authority in matters spiritual
and temporal. The bishop is the head of his diocese or jurisdiction, functioning
also as president of his diocesan synod. Groups of dioceses form a province,
over each of which there is an archbishop and primate, who presides over the
provincial synod. At the head of the entire church, including all provinces, is
the patriarch, who presides over the Pan-African Conclave of Archbishops and
Bishops and is the acknowledged ruler of the African Orthodox Church of the
world. At present there is an American province extending through Canada,
the United States, and Latin America; and an African province extending through
the Union of South Africa, each with its own archbishop and primate.
AMERICAN ETHICAL UNION
(SOCIETIES FOB ETHICAL CTJLTTJEE)
STATISTICS
The data given for 1936 represent seven active societies of the American Ethical
Union, all reported as being in urban territory. The classification of membership
by age was reported by all of the seven societies, none of which reported any
members under 13 years of age. These statistics were compiled from schedules
sent directly to the Bureau by the leader or clerk of the individual societies and
the data relate to these societies only.
Membership in the Ethical Societies is conferred upon those who express a
sympathy with the purpose of the societies and a desire to affiliate with others
in advancing the aims and purposes of the Ethical Movement.
Comparative data, 1906-36. — Table 1 presents, in convenient form for com-
parison, a summary of the available statistics of this organization for the census
years 1936, 1926, 1916, and 1906.
TABLE 1. — COMPAEATIVE SUMMARY, 1906 TO 1936
ITEM
1936
1936
1916
1906
Societies (local organizations), number
7
6
5
5
Increase over preceding census:
Number _ „ _ _ _ . _
1
1
Percent *
Members, number
2,659
3,801
2,850
2,040
Increase 2 over preceding census:
Number
— 1, 142
951
810
Percent _
—30.0
33.4
39 7
Average membership per society
380
634
570
408
Society buildings, number
3
5
Value — number reporting
3
5
Amount reported
$925, 750
$1, 157, 821
Average value per society
$308, 583
$231, 564
Debt — number reporting
2
2
Amount reported _ __ _
$288, 000
$212, 000
Expenditures :
Societies reporting, number
6
6
5
Amount reported
$227, 789
$256, 141
$80, 661
Leaders' salaries . .. . ._ _
$38. 722
All other salaries
$33, 894
Eepairs and improvements
$3, 589
41 £*> QAO
Gar onn
Payment on society building debt, excluding in-
terest
$27, 000
All other current expenses, including interest
Ijocal relief and charity, Red Cross, etc
$72, 928
$47, 728
To general headquarters for distribution
$2 213
I $103, 239
$6 193
All other purposes
$1, 715
Not classified
$8 568
Average expenditure per society
$37, 965
$42, 690
$16, 132
Sunday schools :
Pocfettes ropo^tiTig, nmriher
5
5
4
5
Officers and teachers-. _ __ __
44
47
45
64
Scholars *.
424
416
436
466
i Percent not shown where base is less than 100.
2 A minus sign (— ) denotes decrease.
53
54
CENSUS OF EELIGIOUS BODIES, 1936
State tables. — Tables 2 and 3 present the statistics for the American Ethical
Union by States. Table 2 gives for each State for 1936 the number and member-
ship of the societies, membership classified by sex, and data for Sunday schools.
Table 3 gives the number and membership of the societies for the four census
years 1906 to 1936.
TABLE 2. — NUMBER AND MEMBERSHIP OF SOCIETIES, MEMBERSHIP BY SEX, AND
SUNDAY SCHOOLS, BY STATES, 1936
GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION AND STATE
Total
num-
ber of
soci-
eties
Num-
ber of
mem-
bers
MEMBERSHIP BY SEX
SUNDAY SCHOOLS
Male
Female
Males
per 100
females
Soci-
eties
report-
ing
Offi-
cers
and
teach-
ers
Schol-
ars
United States
7
2,659
1,196
1,463
81.7
5
44
424
NEW ENGLAND:
Massachusetts j.
1
3
1
1
1
159
1,531
347
255
367
65
762
129
100
140
94
769
218
155
227
(0
99.1
59.2
64.5
61.7
MIDDLE ATLANTIC:
New York
3
1
25
5
257
42
Pennsylvania - -
EAST NORTH CENTRAL:
Illinois
WEST NORTH CENTRAL:
Missouri
1
14
125
i Ratio not shown where number of females is less than 100.
TABLE 3. — NUMBER AND MEMBERSHIP OF SOCIETIES BY STATES, 1906 TO 1936
STATE
NUMBER OF SOCIETIES
NUMBER OF MEMBERS
1936
1936
1916
1906
1936
1936
1916
1906
United States
7
6
5
5
2,659
3,801
2,850
2,040
Massachusetts
1
3
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
159
1,531
347
255
367
209
1,893
721
550
428
New York...
2
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
1,450
504
329
567
1,265
198
217
360
Pennsylvania
Illinois.
Missouri
HISTORY, DOCTRINE, AND ORGANIZATION1
HISTORY
The Ethical Movement was inaugurated by the founding of the New York
Society for Ethical Culture by Dr. Felix Adler in 1876. Ethical societies have
since been formed in Chicago, Philadelphia, St. Louis, Brooklyn, Boston, and
Westchester, and the movement has extended also to other countries, including
England, Germany, France, Austria, Switzerland, and Japan. Two federations
have been formed — the American Ethical Union, organized in 1886, and the
International Ethical Union, organized in 1896.
DOCTRINE AND ORGANIZATION
The Ethical Movement is linked with man's religious tradition and with the
insights and wisdom of philosophy. With reverence for the best in traditional
faiths it attempts to reinterpret ethical teachings so as to deepen man's spiritual
1 This statement, which differs somewhat from that published in vol. II of the Keport on Religious Bodies,
1926, has been revised by Algernon D. Black, American Ethical Union, New York City, and approved
by him in its present form.
AMERICAN ETHICAL UNION 55
life today. "Ethical" is to be interpreted as that aspect of self which is sensitive
to and creative in human relationships. In its broadest and deepest sense it is
an emphasis on the fulfillment of man's possibilities. It calls for the development
of man's aesthetic and scientific powers, but above all it stresses the values to be
fulfilled through better human relationships. It is the purpose of the Ethical
Movement to make men more aware of the intrinsic worth of human personality,
of the uniqueness of every human being, of the interpenetration of one life with
another, and of the possibilities of creative relationships among men. Through
developing conscience and the sense of responsibility for better relations in friend-
ship, in family, in industry, and among different nations and cultures, the Ethical
Movement fulfills man's need for a sense of purpose, direction, and meaning.
This is the purpose of the plan of ethical education which begins with the Sunday
school and continues through youth and adulthood to old age.
The societies have no formal expression of doctrine. Their purpose, as
expressed by the constitution of the American Ethical Union, is "to assert the
supreme importance of the ethical factor in all the relations of life." The further-
ance of personal and social relationships which will promote man's ethical possi-
bilities takes the place of formal creeds; this very striving for moral life becomes
itself a "consecrating influence."
While there are no fixed rites or ceremonies, the Sunday meetings of the Society
are regarded by most of the members as religious meetings. Music, readings,
and addresses by leaders of the Society constitute an inspirational service. The
leaders, who take the place of ministers, officiate at the funerals of members of the
societies, offer counsel in moral difficulty, name children, and perform marriage
ceremonies under the laws of the States, and in the case of New York City and
Brooklyn by special act of the legislature.
The American Ethical Union, composed of the seven American societies listed,
holds an annual assembly to which the several societies send delegates in propor-
tion to their numbers. In the interval between assemblies the business of the
Union is conducted by an executive committee. However, each society is
autonomous in government.
WORK
In each of the Ethical societies there are Sunday schools for the moral instruc-
tion of children, and study and fellowship groups for young people and adults.
Effort is made to develop a sense of the fellowship and community of the members
in one another.
Each of the societies has undertaken and carries on a variety of activities —
educational, philanthropic, and social — emphasizing the ethical needs and possi-
bilities of man. These include neighborhood houses for work in neglected areas.
The New York Society is to be credited with the inception of settlement house
work in this country. Neighborhood houses initiated by the societies are in
operation in New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, and St. Louis. Free kinder-
gartens in the New York schools, the visiting nurse movement (also started by the
Henry Street Settlement), the Child Study Movement, and the movement for the
abolition of child labor were also introduced by the Society. Some of the first
model tenements, the impulse to the first tenement house law in New York City,
and much of recent activity on behalf of housing has been stimulated by members
of the New York Society. The Chicago Society started the first public legal aid
bureau and led to the spread of this kind of institution.
The Society has also established the Ethical Culture schools for advanced
experimental work in elementary and high school education. The most recent
development of the Ethical Culture school system is the Meldston School at
Eiverdale, New York City. This undertaking is an attempt to help growing
youth through a new approach to preprofessional and high school education.
The Ethical Culture schools rank among the foremost as laboratories in education.
Systematic ethical instruction is a special feature of the schools. No attempt is
made, however, in the schools or other institutions connected with the societies
to proselytize for the Ethical Movement, The cultural and educational activities
are open to all who wish to take part, irrespective of religious views or affiliations.
AMERICAN RESCUE WORKERS
STATISTICS
The data given for 1936 represent 19 active stations of the American Rescue
Workers, all reported as being in urban territory. These statistics were compiled
from schedules sent directly to the Bureau by the pastor or clerk of the individual
stations and the data relate to these stations only.
Profession of faith in the Word of God, as evidenced by baptism of the candidate,
is the only requirement for membership in this organization.
Comparative data, 1906-36. — Table 1 presents, in convenient form for com-
parison, a summarv of the available statistics of the American Rescue Workers
for the census years 1936, 1926, 1916, and 1906.
TABLE 1. — COMPARATIVE SUMMARY, 1906 TO 1936
ITEM
1936
1926
1916
1906
Stations (local organizations), number «._
19
97
29
20
Increase > over preceding census:
Number
-78
68
9
Percent a
Members, number
797
1,989
611
430
Increase l over preceding census:
Number .
-1192
1,378
175
Percent . . . . . .
-59.9
225.5
40.1
Average membership per station
42
21
21
22
Station "buildings, number
1
3
2
2
Value — number reporting
3
2
2
Amount reported
$13, 800
$1, 900
$9, 700
Average value per station
$4, 600
$950
$4, 850
Debt — number reporting
1
2
Amount reported
$1, 600
$25
$2, 900
Expenditures:
Stations reporting, number—
16
92
19
Amount reported _ _
$46, 175
$135, 214
$22, 682
Pastors' salaries
$5, 933
All other salaries
$4, 001
Repairs and improvements _ _ __
$1, 367
| $82,838
$16, 994
Payment on station debt, excluding interest
All other current expenses, including interest
Local relief and charity, Bed Cross, etc
$200
$9, 846
$18, 418
Home missions
$98
Foreign missions
1 $49, 282
$5, 688
To general headquarters for distribution
$1, 740
All other purposes -
$4, 572
Not classified
$3, 094
Average expenditure per station
$2, 886
$1,470
$1, 194
Sunday schools:
Stations reporting, number
9
50
13
2
Officers and teachers
60
90
61
18
Scholars
395
1,091
438
175
i A minus sign (— ) denotes decrease.
2 Percent not shown where base is less than 100.
State tables. — Tables 2, 3, and 4 present the statistics for the American Rescue
Workers by States. Table 2 gives for each State for 1936 the number and mem-
bership of the stations, membership classified by sex, and data for Sunday schools.
Table 3 gives for selected States the number and membership of the stations for
56
AMERICAN RESCUE WOUKE.RS
57
the four census years 1906 to 1936, together with the membership for 1936 classi-
fied as "under 13 years of age" and "13 years of age and over." Table 4 presents,
for 1936, the station expenditures, showing separately current expenses, improve-
ments, benevolences, etc. In order to avoid disclosing the financial statistics of
any individual station, separate presentation in table 4 is limited to those States
in which three or more stations reported expenditures.
TABLE 2. — NUMBER AND MEMBERSHIP OF STATIONS, MEMBERSHIP BY SEX, AND
SUNDAY SCHOOLS, BY STATES, 1936
GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION
AND STATE
Total
num-
ber
of
sta-
tions
Num-
ber
of
mem-
bers
MEMBERSHIP BY SEX
SUNDAY SCHOOLS
Male
Fe-
male
Sex not
report-
ed
Males
per 100
females l
Stations
report-
ing
Officers
and
teachers
Scholars
United States...
19
3
3
4
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
797
283
390
124
72.6
9
60
395
MIDDLE ATLANTIC:
New York .
130
68
38
73
160
80
60
100
9
24
55
53
28
14
37
65
24
29
62
40
24
36
95
56
31
15
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
5
5
7
9
8
5
9
10
30
48
47
79
35
61
20
53
New Jersey . .
Pennsylvania
EAST NORTH CENTRAL:
Ohio
Illinois
Wisconsin
SOUTH ATLANTIC:
Delaware
Maryland—
100
9
District of Columbia.
8
25
16
30
1
2
22
Florida _
1 Eatio not shown where number of females is less than 100.
TABLE 3. — NUMBER AND MEMBERSHIP OF STATIONS, 1906 TO 1936, AND MEM-
BERSHIP BY AGE IN 1936, BY STATES
[Separate presentation is limited to States having 3 or more stations in either 1936, 1926, 1916, or 1906]
STATE
NUMBER OF STATIONS
NUMBER OF MEMBERS
MEMBERSHIP BY AGE, 1936
1936
1926
1916
1906
1936
1986
1916
1906
Under
13
years
13
years
and
over
Age
not re-
ported
Per-
cent
under
13i
United States
19
97
29
20
797
1,989
611
436
139
580
98
19.9
Massachusetts
6
6
5
19
13
3
12
3
1
4
1
12
3
2
364
67
81
382
298
46
270
53
55
38
15
108
17
65
New York
3
3-
4
2
2
1
10
1
1
130
68
38
73
30
20
322
7
9
48
45
22
73
82
New Jersey
23
Pennsylvania .
16
Ohio
Indiana-
Illinois
1
160
45
115
28.1
1
3
Maryland
1
1
5
5
3
3
2
1
1
100
55
201
5
3
14
100
141
15
25
75
55
Florida
Mississippi
Texas
California
3
11
1
1
52
153
15
42
Other States
H
4
173
45
46
127
26.6
* Based on membership with age classification reported; not shown where base is less than 100.
a Includes: Wisconsin, 1; Delaware, 1; District of Columbia, 1; and Georgia, 1.
58
CENSUS' OF BELIGIOUS BODIEiS, 1936
TABLE 4. — STATION EXPENDITURES BY STATES, 1936
[Separate presentation is limited to States having 3 or more stations reporting]
p
o
EXPENDITURES
33
bfl
a
Jp
S«
fl
ns
8
STATE
fe
ft
g
4-3
s
«J
<S
s
13
if
03^
P M
ii'
03
S-B
1
OT
2
^ w
Q
£
o
w
^g
IB C3
.53
§ e3
P<
p
a
1
*ta
S
°s®
O
t3
«>
1
.2
B
3
1
o
'|n
g.^0
in
o
1
u>
0
EH
H
3
rt
HH
o
W
EH
*
United States
19
16
$46, 175
$5, 933
$4,001
$1,367
S200
89,846
$18,418
S98
$1,740
$4, 572
New York
3
3
10, 056
1,300
1,399
100
741
4,204
326
1, 986
Pennsylvania
4
4
4,249
1,378
203
1,317
1,088
263
Other States
12
19
31,870
3,255
2,399
1,267
200
7,788
13, 126
98
1, 151
2,586
* Includes: New Jersey, 2, Ohio, 2; Illinois, 1; Wisconsin, 1; Florida, 1; Delaware, 1; and Maryland, 1.
HISTORY, DOCTRINE, AND ORGANIZATION 1
HISTORY
About the year 1880, Thomas E. Moore was put in charge of the American work
of the Salvation Army by Gen. William E. Booth, whose headquarters were in
London. After a few years a difference of opinion arose between the two in regard
to the financial administration of the American branch. General Booth con-
tended that a part of all funds raised in America should be sent to England and
that, as the work of the Salvation Army was world-wide, a member of that army
should not call any country his own. Mr. Moore contended that funds raised
by the Salvation Army in America should be used only in this country and that
the organization should have an American charter.
In 1882, with a number of the American officers, he withdrew and began inde-
pendent work. The movement was incorporated in 1884, and in 1885 an amended
charter was granted under the name of the Salvation Army of America. Mr.
Moore was made head of the new organization with the title of general, but
subsequently withdrew to enter the Baptist ministry and was succeeded by
Col. Richard Holz. Headquarters were first established at Mohawk, N. Y.,
but were afterwards changed to Saratoga Springs. Subsequent changes in the
Salvation Army in the United States and certain overtures made by the new
commander, Gen. Ballingtpn Booth, to General Holz and other officers of the
new organization resulted in the return of a considerable number to the former
organization. However, about 25 posts refused to return and these united and
reorganized; in 1913 the name of the organization was changed to American
Rescue Workers, under which name it has been incorporated under the laws of
the State of Pennsylvania; and later incorporated also in the States of New York,
Ohio, California, and New Jersey.
DOCTRINE
In general doctrine and organization this body is very similar to the older one,
except that, besides being an evangelistic and philanthropic movement, it is a
Christian church with the usual sacraments of baptism and the Lord's Supper,
acknowledging belief in one God, in the Trinity, the inspiration of the Scriptures,
the divinity of Christ, the doctrines of original sin and of the atonement, repent-
ance, and regeneration as prerequisites to salvation, the inward witness of the
Holy Ghost and the eternal punishment of the wicked and the eternal reward
of the righteous.
i This statement, which is substantially the same as that published in vol. II of the Report on Beligious
Bodies, 1926, has been revised by Gen. James W. Duffin, commander in chief of the American Rescue
Workers, Philadelphia, Pa., and approved by him in its present form.
AMERICAN KESCUE WORKE&S 59
ORGANIZATION
The organization is represented in its corporate capacity by a board of directors,
the majority of whom are laymen and all of whom are elected by the duly quali-
fied voters of the corporation. These directors are all members of the general
council of the American Rescue Workers, which includes also the commander,
the staff officers, the field officers, and representatives of the corps.
Titles to property are not vested in the general council, but stations having
real estate may have their own local boards of directors. Should a station cease
to exist, however, the general board is legally qualified to become tjb.e custodian
of all such property for American Rescue purposes.
WORK
The organization has two mam objects, the dissemination of the Word of God
to the masses not reached by ordinary church methods, and the assistance of the
unfortunate; as its name indicates, the organization does a general philanthropic
work, depending for its support on voluntary contributions.
APOSTOLIC OVERCOMING HOLY CHURCH OF GOD
STATISTICS
Summary for the United States, with urban-rural classification. — A general
summary of the statistics for the Apostolic Overcoming Holy Church of God
for the year 1936 is presented in table 1, which shows also the distribution of
these figures between urban and rural territory. These statistics were compiled
from schedules sent directly to the Bureau by the pastor or clerk of the indi-
vidual churches and the data relates to these churches only.
The membership of this denomination consists of all persons admitted to the
local churches upon confession of faith and baptism.
TABLE 1. — SUMMAKY OF STATISTICS FOR CHURCHES IN II BE AN AND RURAL
TERRITORY, 1936
ITEM
Total
In urban
territory
In rural
territory
PEBCENT OF
TOTAL *
Urban
Rural
Churches (local organizations), number -
23
863
38
188
675
27.9
94
726
43
11.5
12
12
$16, 040
$15, 850
$190
$1, 337
6
$3, 000
3
1
1
$3, 000
21
$7, 742
$4, 183
$233
$358
$419
$1, 331
$264
$141
$594
$217
$369
20
131
567
13
591
45
116
475
24.4
57
534
10
272
27
72
200
36.0
37
192
43
16.2
6
6
$1,040
$850
$190
$173
1
$30
2
Mem "hers, THTmfofir
68.5
31.5
Average membership per church
Membership by sex:
Male
61.7
70.4
38.3
29.6
Female
HVTales per 100 females
Membership by age:
Under 13 years
13 years and over
73,6
26.4
Age not reported
Percent under 13 years 3 - -
9.6
6
6
$15, 000
$15, 000
Church edifices, number
Value — number reporting
Amount reported _ ".,
93.5
94.6
6.5
5.4
100.0
Constructed prior to 1936
Constructed, wholly or in part, in 1936.
Average value per church ._
$2, 500
$2,970
1
1
$3,000
12
$6,420
$3, 292
$210
$300
$377
$1, 231
$233
$130
$528
$119
$535
12
79
353
Debt — number reporting
Amount reported _°.__
99.0
1.0
Number reporting "no debt"
Parsonages, number
Value — number reporting
Amount reported ._ « __
100.0
Expenditures:
Churches reporting, number „ ._
9
$1, 322
$891
$25
$58
$42
$100
$31
$11
$66
$98
$147
8
52
214
Amount reported ""
82.9
78.7
89.4
83.8
90.0
92.5
88.3
92.2
88.9
54.8
17.1
21.3
10.6
16.2
10.0
7.5
11.7
7.8
11.1
45.2
Pastors' salaries .. _.
All other salaries
Repairs and im pro v6imenffS ^ „„ j.. „
Payment on church debt, excluding inter-
est
All other current expenses, including in-
terest
Local relief and charity, Ked Cross, etc
Home missions
To general headquarters for distribution..
All other purposes
Average expenditure per church
Sunday schools:
Churches reporting, number
Officers and'teacher's
60.3
62.3
39.7
37.7
Scholars
1 Percent not shown where base is less than 100.
a Based on membership with age classification reported.
APOSTOLIC OVERCOMING HOLY CHUECH OP GOD
61
Comparative data, 1936 and 1926.— Table 2 presents, in convenient form for
comparison, a summary of the available statistics of the Apostolic Overcoming
Holy Church of God for the census years 1936 and 1926.
TABLE 2. — COMPAKATIVE SUMMARY, 1936 AND 1926
ITEM
1936
1936
ITEM
1936
1926
Churches (local organizations),
number.
23
16
Expenditures:
Churches reporting, number
21
16
Increase over preceding cen-
Amount reported
$7,742
$17, 198
sus:
Pastors' salaries
$4, 183
\
Number
7
All other salaries
$235
Percent^
Repairs and improve-
ments
$358
Members, number
863
1,047
Payment on church debt,
\$15, 010
Increase3 over preceding cen-
excluding interest .........
$419
sus:
Number
—184
All other current ex-
penses, including interest
$1, 331
Percent
-17.6
Local relief and charity,
Average membership per
Red, Cross, etc
$264
church „ . - , .
38
65
Home missions
$141
Foreign missions
Church edifices, number.. .
12
10
To general headquarters
$2, 188
Value— number reporting
12
10
for distribution
$594
Amount reported
$16, 040
$16,950
All other purposes
$217
Average value per church.
Debt— number reporting
$1, 337
6
$1,695
5
Average expenditure per
church,.
$369
$1,075
Amount reported
$3, 000
$1,975
Parsonages, number
1
1
Sunday schools :
Cfiurches reporting, number
20
15
Value — number reporting
1
1
Officers and teachers
131
67
Amount reported
$3, 000
$3,000
Scholars
567
1,068
* Percent not shown where base is less than 100.
2 A minus sign (— ) denotes decrease.
State table. — Table 3 presents the statistics for the Apostolic Overcoming Holy
Church of God by States for 1936, giving the number and membership of the
churches classified according to their location in urban or rural territory, mem-
bership classified by sex, and data for Sunday schools,
TABLE 3. — NUMBER AND MEMBERSHIP OF CHURCHES IN URBAN AND RURAL
TERRITORY, MEMBERSHIP BY SEX, AND SUNDAY SCHOOLS, BY STATES, 1936
GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION
AND STATE
NUMBER OF
CHURCHES
NUMBER OF MEM-
BERS
MEMBERSHIP BY
SEX
SUNDAY SCHOOLS
'a
o
e
Urban
a
«
•a
4.3
o
fr
Urban
*3
3
»S?
1
•I
1
1
1
Churches re-
porting
Officers and
teachers
§
1
0
DQ
567
20
547
United States
EAST SOUTH OENTEAL:
Kentucky ,
23
13
10
863
591
272
188
675
27.9
20
131
1
22
1
12
"""16"
30
833
30
561
"272"
8
180
22
653
0)
27.6
1
19
5
126
Alabama
i Ratio not shown where number of females is less than 100.
62 CENSUS OF RELIGIOUS BODIES, 1936
HISTORY, DOCTRINE, AND ORGANIZATION1
This denomination, reported for the first time in 1926, was incorporated in
1916 under the laws of the State of Alabama as the Ethiopian Overcoming Holy
Church of God. At the annual meeting in June 1927, by a majority vote, the
word " Apostolic" was substituted for "Ethiopian," and the denomination has
since been called Apostolic Overcoming Holy Church of God.
The churches are nearly all in three States of the South, but there is one organ-
ization in Illinois. The headquarters of the denomination are in Mobile, Ala.
The National Convention, which meets annually, is divided into districts
called ministerial councils. The presiding officer of the general body is a bishop,
and the church has also elders and teachers. Its general purpose is evangelistic,
supported by the payment of tithes from all the members.
* No revision of the history, doctrine, or organization was furnished by this body for 1936, hence this state-
ment is the same as that published in Eeligious Bodies, vol. II, J926.
ASSEMBLIES OF GOD, GENERAL COUNCIL
STATISTICS
Summary for the United States, with urban-rural classification. — A general
summary of the statistics for the Assemblies of God, General Council, for the year
1936 is presented in table 1, which shows also^the distribution of these figures be-
tween urban and rural territory. These statistics were compiled from schedules
sent directly to the Bureau by the pastor or clerk of the individual churches and
the data relate to these churches only.
The membership of this denomination consists of persons who profess rebirth,
live consistent Christian lives, believe in the inspiration of the Holy Scriptures,
and assume personal responsibility for the conduct of the church.
TABLE 1. — SUMMARY OF STATISTICS FOR CHURCHES IN URBAN AND RURAL
TERRITORY, 1936
ITEM
Total
In urban
territory
In rural
territory
PEECENT OF
TOTAL
"Urban
Rural
Churches (local organizations), number
2,611
148, 043
57
53, 902
91, 849
2,292
58.7
10, 564
122, 597
14, 882
7.9
1,925
1,830
$6,099,541
$5,513,005
$586, 536
$3, 333
718
$1,370,965
868
715
580
$587, 115
2,477
$2,876,463
$1,264,322
$122, 552
$215, 961
$237, 514
$495, 527
$38,217
$62, 252
$189, 582
$119, 775
$130, 761
$1, 161
1,083
92, 775
86
33, 788
57, 402
1,585
58.9
6,760
77, 423
8,592
8.0
786
754
$4,824,007
$4, 389, 398
$434, 609
$6,398
441
$1, 245, 142
258
268
202
$373, 841
1,055
$2,126,003
$837,000
$100,937
$157, 829
$194, 686
$401, 033
$29, 408
$49, 693
$155, 736
$98, 546
$101, 135
$2, 015
1,528
55,268
36
20, 114
34,447
707
58.4
3,804
45, 174
6,290
7.8
1,139
1,076
$1, 275, 534
$1, 123, 607
$151,927
$1, 185
277
$125, 823
610
447
378
$213, 274
1,422
$750, 460
$427, 322
$21, 615
$58, 132
$42, 828
$94,494
$8, 809
$12, 559
$33, 846
$21, 229
$29, 626
$528
41.5
62.7
58.5
37.3
Members, number
Average membership per church
Membership bv sex:
Male
62.7
62.5
69.2
37.3
37.5
30.8
Female
Sex not reported
Males per 100 females --.».»
Membership by age:
Under 13 years „
64.0
63.2
57.7
36.0
36.8
42.3
13 years and over
Age not reported
Percent under 13 years l
Church edifices, number
40.8
41.2
79.1
79.6
74.1
59.2
58 8
20.9
20.4
25.9
Value — number reporting _ _
Amount reported __
O onstructed prior to 1936
Constructed, wholly or in part, in 1936. _
Average value per church
Debt—number reporting
61.4
90 8
29.7
37.5
34.8
63.7
42 6
73.9
66.2
82.4
73.1
82.0
80.9
77.0
79.8
82.1
82.3
77.3
38 6
9.2
70.3
62.5
65.2
36.3
57.4
26.1
33.8
17.6
26.9
18.0
19.1
23.0
20.2
17.9
17.7
22.7
ArnoiTnt Tftportftfl
Number reporting "no debt"
Parsonages, number - - - ... «.--
Value — number reporting-. _
Amount reported
Expenditures :
Churches reporting, number
Amount reported
Pastors' salaries - - .
All other salaries .
Repairs and improvements
Payment on church debt, excluding in-
terest _ _ ..
All other current expenses, including in-
terest . .
Local relief and charity, Red Cross, etc
Hforne Tnispious
Foreign missions
To general headquarters for distribution. ..
All other purposes
Averaee expenditure Der church
i Based on membership with age classification reported.
63
64
CENSUS1 OF RELIGIOUS BODIES, 1936
TABLE 1. — SUMMARY OF STATISTICS FOR CHURCHES IN URBAN AND RURAL
TERRITORY, 1936 — Continued
ITEM
Total
In urban
territory
In rural
territory
PERCENT OF
TOTAL
Urban
Rural
Sunday schools :
Churches reporting, number -_
2,321
21, 745
179, 356
190
1, 445
11,906
82
272
2,261
7
42
315
1,000
11, 440
106, 221
99
961
8,197
36
138
1,063
2
13
158
1,321
10, 305
73, 135
91
484
3,709
46
134
1,198
6
29
157
43.1
52.6
59.2
52.1
66.5
68.8
C2)
50 7
47.0
(2)
ffia
56.9
47.4
40.8
47.9
33.5
31.2
(2)
49 3
53.0
(2)
(459.8
Officers and teachers
Scholars
Summer vacation Bible schools :
Churches reporting, number
Officers and teachers
Scholars
Weekday religious schools :
Churches reporting, number
Officers and teachers
Scholars ._
Parochial schools :
Churches reporting, number
Officers and teachers
Scholars
2 Percent not shown when base is less than 100.
Comparative data, 1916-36. — Table 2 presents, in convenient form for com-
parison, a summary of the available statistics of the Assemblies of God, General
Council, for the census years 1936, 1926, and 1916.
TABLE 2. — COMPARATIVE SUMMARY, 1916 TO 1936
ITEM
1936
1936
1916
Churches (local organizations), number _
2,611
671
118
Increase over preceding census:
Number
1,940
553
Percent
289.1
468 6
Members, number
148, 043
47, 950
6 703
Increase over preceding census:
Number
100 093
41 247
Percent ._
208.7
615.4
Average membership per church
57
71
57
Church edifices, number
1 925
497
63
Value — number reporting
1 830
479
63
Amount reported
$6,099 541
$3 468 989
$101 779
Average value per church
$3, 333
$7 242
$1 616
Debt — number reporting
718
260
31
Amount reported
$1, 370 965
$1, 087, 362
$12 460
Parsonages, number -- - *
715
Value — number reporting
580
125
10
Amount reported
$587 115
$255 815
$7 021
Expenditures :
Churches reporting, Tuimbnr
2 477
595
96
ATTKYnnt repnirtflcl
$2 876 463
$1 405 491
$61 941
Pastors' salaries
$1, 264, 322
All other salaries _ _ .
$122, 552
Repairs and improvements
$215, 961
[• $1, 089, 993
$45 675
Payment on church debt, excluding interest
$237, 514
All other current expenses, including interest .
$495, 527
Local relief and charity, Red Cross, etc
$38 217
Home missions _
$62, 252
Foreign missions
$189, 582
$273 670
$16 266
To general headquarters for distribution
$119, 775
All other purposes
$130 761
Not classified
$41 828
Average expenditure per church _
$1, 161
$2, 362
$645
Sunday schools :
Churches reporting, number __ _ _ _
2 321
549
79
Officers and teachers-
21 745
4 232
460
Scholars - «
179 356
41 255
4 379
ASSEMBLIES OF G.OD, GESTEBAL COUNCIL
65
State tables. — Tables 3, 4, 5, and 6 present the statistics for the Assemblies of
God, General Council, by States. Table 3 gives for each State for 1936 the number
and membership of the churches classified according to their location in urban or
rural territory, the membership classified by sex, and data for Sunday schools.
Table 4 gives for selected States the number and membership of the churches for
the census years 1936, 1926, and 1916, together with the membership for 1936
classified as "under 13 years of age" and "13 years of age and over.77 Table 5
shows the value of churches and parsonages and amount of debt on church
edifices for 1936. Table 6 presents, for 1936, the church expenditures, showing
separately current expenses, improvements, benevolences, etc. Separate pres-
entation in tables 5 and 6 is limited to those States in which three or more churches
reported value and expenditures, in order to avoid disclosing the financial statistics
of any individual church.
TABLE 3. — NUMBER AND MEMBERSHIP OF CHURCHES IN URBAN AND RURAL
TERRITORY, MEMBERSHIP BY SEX, AND SUNDAY SCHOOLS, BY STATES, 1936
GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION
AND STATE
NUMBER OS-
CHURCHES
NUMBER OF
MEMBERS
MEMBERSHIP
BY SEX
SUNDAY
SCHOOLS
3
£
PI
1
I
3
o
f
1
P5
&
"3
a
rSJ
1
^•0
Kft
a>
05
n-1
<D g
ft-f
co a
CD P
^ o>
II
OT bfl
0 g3
it
5s
o
fl<°
»S
II
O4"
e
03
-3
United States
2,611
1,083
,528
48,043
92, 775
55, 268
53, 902
1,849
2,292
58.7
53.4
,321
5
2
14
3
6
44
25
80
67
22
80
46
45
34
44
140
29
28
46
71
4
23
2
21
22
12
j
12
68
20
24
58
23
1,745
-
50
11
126
31
50
481
264
948
697
255
906
517
442
331
387
1,429
225
241
425
804
79, 358
245
72
856
148
280
3,708
1,972
7,543
5,708
2,103
7,316
3,837
3,025
2,701
2,866
12, 551
1,694
1,545
2,700
6,313
644
1,858
818
1,562
1,349
879
155
1,103
4,153
1,240
1,691
3,301
1,774
NEW ENGLAND:
Maine _
6
2
17
3
8
52
25
84
71
25
87
48
46
38
48
156
31
31
54
76
4
24
4
27
24
12
i
18
95
25
32
79
27
2
1
15
3
7
45
19
54
54
19
53
27
32
21
24
53
7
8
14
29
J
t
i:
<
j
\
8
23
6
12
15
11
4
1
2
....
7
6
30
17
6
34
21
14
17
24
103
24
23
40
47
1
17
""16
21
9
""16
72
19
20
64
16
227
104
890
270
327
4,374
1,523
6,855
5,682
2,077
7,327
3,078
2,464
1,989
2,422
10, 613
1,245
1,236
2,366
4,192
525
1,377
1,101
1,039
993
673
154
1,095
3,531
134
90
811
270
304
4,206
1,293
5,508
5. 158
1,786
6,008
2,451
2,033
1,450
1, 550
6,104
497
441
725
2,527
487
660
1,101
626
195
189
154
877
1,375
288
704
724
630
93
14
79
"""23
168
230
1,347
524
291
1,319
627
431
539
872
4,509
748
795
1,641
1,665
38
717
"""413
798
484
""218
2,156
564
761
79
41
324
101
128
1,639
571
2,627
1,754
780
2,711
1,179
1,018
779
943
3,603
494
511
946
1,433
200
513
430
378
323
252
57
336
1,148
282
577
1,009
375
148
63
566
169
199
2,699
952
4,228
2,671
1,297
4,616
1,899
1,446
1,210
1,477
6,858
751
725
1,420
2,660
325
864
New Hampshire. _
Massachusetts
Rhode Island
Connecticut
36
1,257
57.2
59.8
64.3
60.7
60.0
62 1
65.7
60.1
58.7
62.1
70.4
64.4
63.8
525
65.8
70.5
66.6
53.9
61.5
59,4
MIDDLE ATLANTIC:
New York
New Jersey
Pennsylvania
E. NORTH OENTEAL:
Ohio
Indiana _
Illinois
Michigan..
Wisconsin.
—--
152
"~99
W. NOETH CENTRAL:
Minnesota
Iowa
Missouri
North Dakota
South Dakota
Nebraska
Kansas .
SOUTH ATLANTIC:
Delaware
60
222
58
173
173
97
31
112
522
145
201
433
18
Maryland
Dist. of Columbia-
Virginia
671
661
670
421
97
759
2,362
570
888
2,061
783
64.1
57.2
48.2
59.9
~44.~3
48.6
49.5
65.0
49.0
47.9
West Virginia
North Carolina...
South Carolina,..
Georgia .
Florida
21
E. SOUTH CENTRAL:
Kentucky
852
Tennessee
1,465
3,098
1,178
""28
2C
Alabama -
2,374
548
MississiDDi
Katio not shown where number of females is less than 100,
66
CENSUS' OF RELIGIOUS BODIEiS, 1936
TABLE 3. — NUMBER AND MEMBERSHIP OF CHURCHES IN URBAN AND RURAL
TERRITORY, MEMBERSHIP BY SEX, AND SUNDAY SCHOOLS, BY STATES, 1936 — Con.
GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION
AND STATE
NUMBER OF
CHURCHES
NUMBER OF
MEMBERS
MEMBERSHIP
BY SEX
SUNDAY
SCHOOLS
I
1
s
•3
1
Urban
,
42
3
Female
£
if
w
CD
W
Males per
100 females 1
Churches
reporting
Officers and
teachers
S
02
W. SOUTH CENTRAL:
Arkansas
214
30
236
341
27
19
8
63
28
15
1
41
6
62
136
11
10
1
25
8
10
173
24
174
205
16
9
7
38
20
5
1
1
55
36
78
10, 440
1,311
11, 428
19, 093
1,144
616
246
2,841
989
584
24
86
6,059
2,611
14,229
3,787
513
5,102
11,902
682
316
55
1,706
341
446
6,653
798
6,326
7,191
462
300
191
1,135
648
138
24
30
1,983
1,155
3,248
3,596
401
3,973
6,871
436
237
97
1,100
383
214
11
31
2,260
1,021
5,730
6,813
910
7,442
12, 202
683
361
149
1,687
606
369
13
55
3,314
1,590
8,469
31
""13
20
25
18
~~~64
""""I
52.8
44.1
53.4
56.3
63.8
65 7
65.1
65 2
63 2
58.0
185
28
218
301
25
14
8
56
24
14
1
2
85
53
183
1,601
227
1,936
2,639
220
102
68
492
165
97
6
14
842
462
1,842
13, 104
1,740
17,699
23,206
1,701
650
371
3,726
1,127
914
24
104
7,377
3,308
16, 595
Louisiana -
Oklahoma
Texas _ ...
MOUNTAIN:
Montana . .
Idaho
Wyoming _.
Colorado
New Mexico..
Arizona
Utah
Nevada
3
91
58
195
2
36
22
117
56
4,076
1,456
10, 981
485
""16
68.2
64.2
67.7
PACIFIC:
Washington
Oregon. . .„.
California ,
i Ratio not shown where number of females is less than 100.
ASSEMBLIES OF GOD, GENERAL COUNCIL
67
TABLE 4. — NUMBER AND MEMBERSHIP OF CHURCHES, 1916 TO 1936, AND MEM-
BERSHIP BY AGE IN 1936, BY STATES
[Separate presentation is limited to States having 3 or more churches in either 1936, 1926, or 1916]
GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION AND
STATE
NUMBER OF
CHURCHES
NUMBER OF
MEMBERS
MEMBERSHIP BY AGE, 1930
1936
1926
1916
1936
1926
1916
Under
3 years
3 years
and
over
Age not
re-
ported
Per-
cent
under
131
United States
2,611
671
118
148, 043
7,950
,703
10, 564
r -: . s
49
17
22, 597
;:":-: •"II,:.TT;
133
873
270
226
3,459
1,340
5,753
4,473
1,682
5,323
2,916
1,717
1,902
1,977
9,421
640
973
1,896
3,624
483
1,264
951
887
844
665
104
985
2,954
711
1,346
2,472
1,072
8,498
974
9,805
16,261
938
515
207
2,327
797
464
84
4,918
2,195
11,195
83
14, 882
;• •," .. =
45
7.9
:: . • =rr,t
26.9
1.9
NEW ENGLAND:
Maine _ _ _
6
17
3
8
52
25
84
71
25
87
48
46
38
48
156
31
31
54
76
4
24
4
27
24
12
3
18
95
25
32
79
27
214
30
236
341
27
19
8
1
3
227
890
270
327
4,374
1,523
6,855
5,682
2,077
7,327
3,078
2,464
1,989
2,422
10, 613
1,245
1,236
2,366
4,192
525
1,377
1,101
1,039
993
673
154
1,095
3,531
852
1,465
3,098
1,178
10,440
1,311
11,428
19,093
1,144
616
246
2,841
989
584
86
6,059
2,611
14,229
128
95
123
Massacb usetts
6
5
3
""§"
Rhode Island
Connecticut __
5
17
12
27
20
11
36
12
3
7
9
40
4
""Is"
30
1
8
2
4
6
1
1
1
32
7
5
43
7
72
6
41
60
6
2
133
2,023
805
2,534
2,162
711
4,029
833
817
603
400
2,595
142
730
143
335
3
262
30
705
447
283
593
162
247
40
126
647
79
244
277
283
42
113
150
20
48
8
10
41
110
63
91
46
33
506
56
548
1,484
137
32
39
328
156
8
2
364
188
1,402
45
98
653
153
397
762
112
1,411
1.3
7.0
2.2
10.9
9.1
14.4
10.0
5.3
12.6
2.1
6.0
6.4
11.0
20.0
12.7
7.2
8.0
8.2
13.6
2.2
5.4
1.2
8.8
4.0
3.6
8.1
6.3
1.8
3.0
5.6
5.4
5.3
8.4
12.7
5.9
15.9
12.4
16.4
1.7
MIDDLE ATLANTIC:
New York
New Jersey
Pennsylvania
EAST NORTH CENTRAL:
Ohio
Indiana
"§3l"
"sie"
75
182
531
Illinois . „
Michigan _.
Wisconsin
2
1
4
11
500
47
319
545
526
19
193
285
WEST NORTH CENTRAL:
Minnesota
Iowa _« „„_
Missouri
North Dakota
South Dakota
2~
6
"""T
Nebraska _.
765
1,736
143
505
355
152
286
33
20
38
1,697
213
364
1,391
219
3,641
459
2,750
3,793
215
77
60
242
Kansas _ _„
SOUTH ATLANTIC:
Delaware
Maryland
170
~~24~
69
District of Columbia
Virginia
1
2
132
101
West Virginia ...
North Carolina
South Carolina
40
69
467
78
28
580
73
1,436
281
1,075
1,348
69
69
Georgia
"285"
27
"l89~
Florida _ . .
6
1
EAST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Kentucky-.,
Tennessee ___„
Alabama
4
Mississippi
WEST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Arkansas
12
923
Louisiana
Oklahoma
13
25
780
897
Texas
MOUNTAIN:
Montana... _ .
Idaho
Colorado -
63
28
15
11
4
4
817
135
159
""48"
186
36
112
New Mexico
Arizona
1
PACIFIC:
Washington
91
58
195
»3
11
7
77
2
2
_.
1,225
613
8,093
51
60
"286"
777
228
1,632
6.9
7.9
11.1
35.2
Oregon „
California
Other States
1 Based on membership with age classification reported; not shown where base is less than 100.
3 Includes: New Hampshire, 2, and Utah, 1.
275318 — 41-
68
CENSUS1 OF BELIGIOUS BODIES, 1936
TABLE 5. — VALUE OF CHTTKCHES AND PAKSONAGES AND AMOUNT OF CHURCH
DEBT BY STATES, 1936
[Separate presentation is limited to States having 3 or more churches reporting value of edifices]
GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION AND
STATE
Total number of
churches
Number of church
edifices
VALUE OF CHURCH
EDIFICES
DEBT ON CHURCH
EDIFICES
VALUE OF PAR-
SONAGES
Churches re-
porting
Amount
Churches re-
porting
a
-«
Churches re-
porting
Amount
"United States
2,611
1,925
1,830
86, 099, 541
718
1
8
2
17
10
35
17
8
27
18
24
17
15
33
12
11
13
27
6
9
3
4
4
11
7
10
9
7
30
9
52
87
8
7
4
17
4
5
27
20
77
6
$1, 370, 965
580
S587, 115
NEW ENGLAND:
Maine
6
J7
8
52
25
84
71
25
87
48
46
38
48
156
31
31
54
76
24
27
24
12
18
95
25
32
79
27
214
30
236
341
27
19
8
63
28
15
91
58
195
20
3
8
5
32
17
54
33
17
63
34
30
27
32
103
23
17
37
53
21
22
15
10
18
78
15
28
66
24
166
28
204
279
21
15
6
32
22
11
62
43
143
8
3
7
4
31
17
48
31
17
57
32
28
27
31
98
23
16
35
50
19
22
15
10
18
74
15
26
62
23
158
26
191
269
21
12
6
30
21
11
58
43
137
»8
7,142
73, 300
31,000
475, 600
195,000
418, 137
286, 143
104, 500
474, 256
198,251
148,725
174, 538
100, 368
275,365
65, 824
57, 170
43,800
115, 723
68,100
41,560
31,018
15, 300
27,011
92, 610
20, 835
43, 325
70, 710
32, 640
159, 086
23, 520
264,006
414, 976
51, 173
19, 250
8,725
71, 285
20,691
25, 875
312, 190
137, 547
801, 466
101,800
1,950
38,878
*,071
122, 569
55, 862
140, 779
51, 573
38,023
113,050
40, 830
48, 716
54, 767
26, 683
59, 356
17,486
20,063
4,084
17, 171
8,840
11,365
5,600
1,498
8,049
9,894
5,351
6,735
3,034
935
16,015
3,403
25, 507
82, 183
6,303
1,490
2,352
16, 376
656
6,673
67, 363
22,566
184,171
14,695
1
0)
Massachusetts
Connecticut
1
5
2
6
2
3
10
8
9
9
5
27
7
11
9
24
4
2
(»)
24,800
0)
20, 500
(0
4,750
22, 850
23,350
20, 750
14,950
3,700
18,225
5,250
12, 970
5,700
26, 200
8,700
0)
MIDDLE ATLANTIC:
New York
New Jersey .. ...
Pennsylvania
EAST NORTH CENTRAL:
Ohio
Indiana
Illinois _ _
Michigan. __
"Wisconsin .
WEST NORTH CENTRAL:
Minnesota
Iowa
Missouri . _
North Dakota
South Dakota -
Nebraska —
Kansas
SOUTH ATLANTIC-
Maryland
Virginia
West Virginia
North Carolina - _ _.
1
3
16
4
3
13
7
62
10
86
101
7
5
3
14
12
3
26
14
43
2
0)
1,016
15,905
1,500
3,500
9,450
7,250
34, 700
11, 180
35, 295
63,442
4,600
4, 350
1,200
14, 400
5,160
950
34, 650
16, 680
68, 102
41,100
Georgia .._
Florida
EAST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Kentucky . ......
Tennessee
Alabama -. -
Mississippi.
WEST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Arkansas
Louisiana
Oklahoma
Texas
MOUNTAIN-
Montana —
Idaho
Wyoming . . ., -.
Colorado ..
New Mexico
Arizona
PACIFIC:
Washington. _.
Oregon
California .. .
Other States .
1 Amount included in figures for "Other States," to avoid disclosing the statistics of any individual church.
2 Includes: New Hampshire, 2; Rhode Island, 1; Delaware, 2; South Carolina, 2; and District of Colum-
bia, 1.
ASSEMBLIES OF GOD, GENERAL COUNCIL
69
TABLE 6. — CHURCH EXPENDITURES BY STATES, 1936
[Separate presentation is limited to States having 3 or more churches reporting]
GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION AND STATE
Total
number
of
churches
EXPENDITURES
Churches
reporting
Total
amount
Pastors'
salaries
All other
salaries
Repairs
and
improve-
ments
United States
2,611
2,477
$2,876,463
81,264,322
$122, 552
$215, 961
NEW ENGLAND-
Maine_..
6
17
3
8
52
25
84
71
25
87
48
46
38
48
156
31
31
54
76
4
24
4
27
24
12
3
18
95
25
32
79
27
214
30
236
341
27
19
8
63
28
15
91
58
195
6
6
17
3
7
51
25
84
69
25
81
47
46
38
47
145
31
31
52
74
4
23
4
25
23
11
3
18
88
20
31
76
27
183
28
212
327
27
18
8
61
26
15
87
58
190
15
4,357
27, 138
9,928
15,293
132, 522
52, 523
167,469
126,757
46, 158
170, 199
94.426
58, 650
73, 310
35, 704
161, 349
26,762
29,680
40, 463
77,100
18, 244
31,115
35,364
34,565
12,014
6,473
5,535
14,749
49,669
10,087
19,591
32, 127
19,391
89, 808
15, 186
164, 451
263,402
39,464
14, 136
6, 731
53. 575
15,472
12,929
141. 013
59, 743
358,445
3,396
2,284
10, 666
2,731
5,600
43, 286
20, 410
61, 520
49,680
20,657
63, 478
32, 834
22,477
22, 680
19,678
74, 122
12, 597
12, 129
24,768
37, 510
3,355
14,848
8,819
10, 448
5,769
3,393
3,220
7,499
30, 043
i 4,944
11,870
19,914
11,085
55, 934
10,091
99, 521
147,888
14,425
6,917
3,587
25,019
9,095
7.599
48, 798
26, 241
133, 744
1,149
68
1,074
101
771
7,715
1,440
10, 178
7,767
1,870
10,067
6,483
1,717
3,973
1,157
10, 712
1,261
781
674
2,290
680
990
1,568
601
867
663
60
656
2,646
261
570
1,379
653
2,040
195
3,850
9,597
727
370
5
1,180
341
519
4,155
1,945
15,838
97
293
544
1,563
1,900
4,990
4,322
7,689
4,849
8,371
7,357
6,948
3,575
8,614
1,414
8,582
1,852
864
1,489
6,129
280
3,156
3, 065
7,071
967
979
510
1,101
3,539
823
527
4,034
2,916
7,289
660
14,281
21,396
7,030
791
235
2.753
1,081
731
18, 169
2,782
28,445
n
Massachusetts
Ehode Island ,
Connecticut. __ __ «.
MIDDLE ATLANTIC:
New York
New Jersey.— .___
Pennsylvania .
EAST NORTH CENTRAL:
Ohio
Indiana
Illinois
Michigan
Wisconsin
WEST NORTH CENTRAL:
Minnesota _
Iowa. _-
Missouri _
North Dakota.
South Dakota
Nebraska
Kansas
SOUTH ATLANTIC*
Delaware
Maryland
District of Columbia
Virginia
West Virginia
North Carolina
South Carolina
Georgia _
Florida
EAST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Kentucky
Tennessee
Alabama
Mississippi .
WEST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Arkansas
Louisiana
Oklahoma
Texas
MOUNTAIN:
Montana . ..._._
Idaho
Wyoming
Colorado
New Mexico
Arizona. _
PACIFIC:
Washington
Oregon
California
Other States
« Includes: New Hampshire, 2; Utah, 1; and Nevada, 2.
70 CENTS' OF RELIGIOUS BODIES, 1936
TABLE 6. — CHUECH EXPENDITURES BY STATES, 1936 — Continued
[Separate presentation is limited to States having 3 or more churches reporting]
GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION AND STATE
EXPENDiTURES—continued
Payment
on church
debt, ex-
cluding
interest
Other
current
expenses,
including
interest
Local
relief
and
charity
Home
mis-
sions
Foreign
missions
To
general
head-
quarters
All
other
•pur-
poses
United States
$237, 514
83
1,587
480
2,069
4, 445
4,924
14, 320
16, 515
1,670
15,006
9,280
6,626
6,917
3, 852
6,376
2,765
3,882
1,442
9,401
610
980
8,091
9,984
901
303
351
1,123
1,944
937
3,459
3,083
1,975
3,243
1,801
12, 552
19, 372
4.480
1,115
857
5,434
1,185
523
7,781
3,660
32,030
100
$495, 527
$38,217
$62, 252
15
806
966
130
4,273
1,498
2,715
3,370
767
3,315
3,000
1,895
2,731
385
1, 609
301
772
702
670
550
311
2,234
372
127
17
10
1,029
926
272
164
297
43
926
193
1,958
4,710
1,022
248
159
623
399
287
4,839
905
9,481
229
$189, 582
399
1,826
1,463
703
15, 331
4,910
22, 387
7,857
2,546
22, 295
7,801
4,772
4,315
1,556
7,936
1, 103
1, 581
1,469
3,657
2,807
3,262
1,512
430
641
136
280
1,161
2,312
375
499
421
62
1,397
467
5,061
6,988
1,427
1,070
366
2,493
322
189
14, 063
4,480
23,221
233
$119,775
49
1,341
90
551
16,618
1, 606
5,666
11, 138
544
5,581
1,945
1,657
1,973
1,377
4,193
1, 353
744
1,081
2,545
628
573
2,203
681
475
82
20
350
793
185
359
744
452
6,766
155
3,557
6,391
1,922
639
21
1,040
317
449
6,341
1,981
22,606
4
$130,761
NEW ENGLAND:
Maine -
1,117
7,405
2,260
3,424
30, 710
9,448
38, 207
21, 356
6,958
35, 103
22, 171
13, 725
17,848
4,456
26, 811
4,729
7,858
7,370
11, 548
9,198
5,861
5,105
2,952
1,808
481
964
1,255
3,627
2,135
1,444
2,236
903
8,304
1,173
15, 252
30,627
6,310
2,621
846
10,630
1,824
1,376
28,536
13, 523
62,729
1,300
49
1,589
255
20
1,790
3, 356
2,849
3,443
2,421
6,328
2,902
1,617
3,476
1,623
19,313
560
940
1,341
2,325
41
802
2,105
1,837
358
265
Massachusetts.
300
19
125
3,364
609
1,938
782
354
1,669
1,062
589
783
206
1, 695
238
129
127
1,025
95
332
662
189
101
154
120
263
608
27
98
267
824
1,166
141
2,698
6,678
1
10
86
374
340
224
835
851
6,047
12
Rhode Island
Connecticut
MIDDLE ATLANTIC:
New York
New Jersey __
Pennsylvania .. _. .
EAST NORTH CENTRAL:
Ohio
Indiana
Illinois
Michigan
Wisconsin
WEST NORTH CENTRAL:
Minnesota
Iowa
Missouri-
North Dakota-
South Dakota _
Nebraska... _
Kansas
SOUTH ATLANTIC:
Delaware
Maryland
District of Columbia
Virginia
West Virginia
North Carolina
South Carolina
Georgia .
312
3,231
128
601
1,752
478
2,754
310
5,723
9,755
2,120
352
669
4,029
5fi8
1,032
7,496
3,375
24,304
267
Florida .
EAST SOUTH CENTRAT :
Kentucky
Tennessee
Alabama
Mississippi _
WEST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Arkansas..
Louisiana
Oklahoma .
Texas
MOUNTAIN:
Montana. .
Idaho
Wyoming.. _ ... .
Colorado _„
New Mexico .- ...
Arizona ,.— „
PACIFIC:
Washington
Oregon
California
Other States
ASSEMBLIES OF GOD, GENERAL COUNCIL 71
HISTORY, DOCTRINE, AND ORGANIZATION1
DENOMINATIONAL HISTORY
Following a great revival movement which, swept around the world in 1906 and
1907, a considerable number of churches, missions, or assemblies in the United
States found a common interest in a distinctively evangelistic type of mission
work. This was at first purely independent and voluntary, but some association
and -mutual fellowship became recognized as valuable and necessary for the
purpose of establishing doctrinal standards and providing effective methods of
home and foreign missionary work.
In the spring of the year 1914, a group of pastors of indepen4ent churches issued
a call for all interested in Bible order, system, evangelism, and united doctrine to
meet at Hot Springs, Ark. About 100 delegates came to this meeting. Some
were former ministers of evangelical denominational churches and others were
serving as pastors of churches, not having had previous denominational member-
ship. An organization was agreed upon based on the principles of voluntary
unity and cooperation in religious effort. This organization was firsft incorporated
in Arkansas in October 1914, and then in Missouri in November 1916, under the
name of "The General Council of the Assemblies of God."
DOCTRINE
The doctrine of the Assemblies of God tends mostly toward Arminian princi-
ples, emphasizing the inspiration of the Scriptures; the fall and redemption of
man; the baptism in the Holy Ghost accompanied by the speaking in other
tongues; sanctification as the goal for all believers; the church a living organism;
a divinely called and scrip turally ordained ministry; divine healing; the pre-
millennial and imminent coming of Jesus to judge the world in righteousness,
while reigning on earth for a thousand years; everlasting punishment for the
wicked, and a new heaven and a new earth for the believers. While they recognize
human government and affirm unswerving loyalty to the United States, the
Assemblies of God claim that as followers of the Prince of Peace they are con-
strained to declare that they could not conscientiously participate in war and
armed resistance which involves the actual destruction of human life.
ORGANIZATION
The polity of the denomination is a combination of the Congregational and
Presbyterian systems. The local churches are Congregational in the conduct of
their affairs, and their sovereignty in this respect is fully recognized by the Gen-
eral Council constitution. They act, however, under the advice and suggestions
of the district and general presbyters.
The work of the denomination in the IJnited States has been divided into 35
districts, largely following State border lines. These districts are officered by a
district presbytery, chosen by the membership of each district and entrusted with
the examination, licensing, and ordination of ministers. The extension of the
fellowship through home mission effort is also entrusted to the district councils.
All ordained ministers are members of the General Council, which meets
biennially. At this council, general officers are chosen, doctrinal standards are
established, and ways and means adopted for church extension. Departmental
heads are also chosen, who serve in the capacity of executive presbyters, A
general presbytery serves in an advisory capacity to the executive presbytery.
The membership in the general presbytery is composed of three members from
each district council, elected by the districts to this office. The general officers
are superintendent, assistant superintendent, secretary, treasurer, home missions
secretary, foreign missions secretary, principal of Bible Training School, editor of
publications, etc.
i This statement, which is substantially the same as that published in vol. II of the Keport of Religious
Bodies, 1926, has been revised by J. Roswell Flower, general secretary, General Council Assemblies of God,
Springfield, Mo., and approved by him in its present form.
72 CENSUS1 OF RELIGIOUS BODIES, 1936
WORK
The primary work of the Assemblies of God is evangelistic and missionary and
this work is pursued diligently through the home and foreign missions depart-
ments. Outgoing missionaries, whether ordained or not, must be endorsed by the
missionary committee of the General Council. All local churches are encouraged
to have a part in the missionary program and many local assemblies support
missionaries on the foreign field wholly or in part. Missionary funds go through
the central missionary committee but a considerable amount is sent by individ-
uals and churches directly to missionaries whom they support or help to support.
Annual missionary receipts and disbursements are running well over $350,000 per
year. All offerings for foreign work are sent to the field, 100 percent, without
any deduction whatever for home administration, the expense of the conduct of
the foreign missions department being met by free-will offerings and grants from
the general fund of the denomination.
Only one school is operated under the direct supervision of the General Council,
the Central Bible Institute at Springfield, Mo. This school has accommoda-
tions for about 500 students and offers a 3-year course for the training of ministers
and missionaries. Other schools are operating under district supervision at
Minneapolis, Minn., Seattle, Wash., San Francisco, Calif., Pasadena, Calif., Zion,
III., Green Lake, Pa., Enid, Okla., Fort Worth, Tex., Houston, Tex., and New
Brockton, Ala. The total enrollment is approximately 2,000, and the courses
are devoted exclusively to subjects pertaining to ministerial and missionary work.
There are some district publications, but the publishing work of the denomina-
tion has been centered largely in the Gospel Publishing House of Springfield, Mo.,
which is entrusted with the publication of the Pentecostal Evangel, published
weekly, the Sunday school literature and numerous books, pamphlets, and tracts.
ASSYRIAN JACOBITE APOSTOLIC CHURCH
STATISTICS
• The data given for 1936 represent four active organizations of the Assyrian
Jacobite Apostolic Church, all reported as being in urban territory. These sta-
tistics were compiled from schedules sent directly to the Bureau by the pastor
or clerk of the individual churches and the data relate to these churches only.
The membership of this denomination consists of all persons received into the
local churches through baptism.
Comparative data, 1916-36. — Table 1 presents, in convenient form for com-
parison, a summary of the available statistics of the Assyrian Jacobite Apostolic
Church for the census years 1936, 1926, and 1916.
TABLE 1. — COMPARATIVE SUMMARY, 1916 TO 1936
ITEM
1936
1936
1916
Churches (local organizations), number
4
3
is
Increase l over preceding census:
Number ._ _ _> _
1
•in
Percent2 .__
Members, number
3,100
1 407
748
Increase over preceding census:
Number. __ _
1,693
659
Percent.. ._ _ _
120.3
88.1
Average membership per church __
775
469
50
Church edifices, number .
4
3
Value — number reporting
4
3
Amount reported
$UO, 000
$92, 000
Average value per church
$27, 500
$30, 667
"pp.bt — nitTnber reporting' ^T
3
3
Amount reported __ __ __
$17,000
$27, 500
Parsonages, number -- .
1
Value — number reporting - -
1
Amount reported _ _ _
$6, 000
Expenditures:
fhurchQS T^portiTig, ntrm'hfir , ,r , ^
4
3
Am mint report Ad
$13,880
$24, 253
Pastors' salaries
$4, 540
All other salaries
$350
Repairs and improvements
$1, 800
$23 576
Payment on church debt, excluding interest
$1, 700
All other current expenses, including interest
$1, 550
Local relief and charity* Ked Cross, etc .
$550
i
"PToTT1 Tnlssions
$3, 090
Foreign missions
$300
> $677
To general headquarters for distribution
1
All other purposes
j
Average expenditure per church
$3, 470
$8, 084
Sunday schools:
^•hurch^s ^-porting1 numbor
3
Officers and teachers
20
Scholars
160
i A minus sign (— ) denotes decrease.
2 Percent not shown where base is less than 100.
State tables. — Tables 2 and 3 present the statistics for the Assyrian Jacobite
Apostolic Church by States. Table 2 gives for each State for 1936 the number
and membership of the churches, membership classified by sex, and data for
Sunday schools. Table 3 gives for selected States the number and membership of
the churches for the three census years 1916 to 1936, together with the membership
for 1936 classified as "under 13 years of age" and "13 years of age and over."
73
74
CENSUS1 OF BELIGIOUS BODIES, 1936
TABLE 2. — NUMBEE AND MEMBERSHIP OF CHUBCHES, MEMBERSHIP BY SEX, AND
SUNDAY SCHOOLS, BY STATES, 1936
GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION AND STATE
Total
number
of
churches
Num-
ber of
mem-
bers
MEMBERSHIP BY SEX
SUNDAY SCHOOLS
Male
Female
Males
per 100
females
Churches
reporting
Officers
and
teach-
ers
Schol-
ars
United States
4
3,100
880
470
1,200
550
1,680
1,420
118.3
3
1
1
1
20
6
6
8
160
NEW ENGLAND:
Massachusetts „
1
1
1
1
465
250
665
300
415
220
535
250
112 0
113.6
124.3
120.0
40
65
55
Rhode Island
MIDDLE ATLANTIC:
New Jersey
EAST NOETH CENTRAL:
Michigan
TABLE 3. — NUMBER AND MEMBERSHIP OP CHURCHES, 1916 TO 1936, AND MEM-
BERSHIP BY AGE IN 1936, BY STATES
[Separate presentation is limited to States having 3 or more churches in either 1936, 1926, or 1916]
STATE
NUMBEE OF
CHUBCHES
NUMBER OF
MEMBERS
MEMBERSHIP BY AGE,
1936
1936
1926
1916
1936
1936
1916
Under
13
years
13 years
and
over
Per-
cent
under
13
United States. „ »
4
3
15
3,100
1,407
748
860
2,240
27.7
201
19.2
39.2
Massachusetts
1
1
12
1
1
1
6
5
4
880
1,200
1,020
220
1,025
162
291
311
146
230
230
400
650
970
620
New Jersey
Other States
i Includes: Rhode Island, 1, and Michigan, 1.
HISTORY, DOCTRINE, AND ORGANIZATION l
HISTORY
The Assyrian Jacobite Apostolic Church traces its origin to the first 12 apostles
of Christ, particularly to St. Peter, the first Patriarch of Antioch,
The gospel had its origin in Syria and the Assyrian fathers were the first Chris-
tian missionaries. From the beginning of Christianity, the Assyrians went out
to Gaul, Persia, India, China, and Africa, where, notwithstanding severe perse-
cutions, they succeeded in establishing numerous schools and monasteries. They
have been constantly persecuted by the various Roman, Greek, Persian, and
Turkish rulers, and, judging from the continuous numerous outrages, it would
seem that the Turks and Arabs intended to exterminate all the Assyrian Christians.
In the face of all these persecutions they gallantly faced death, and to this day
they ably uphold the early Christian faith.
Contact with American missionaries who had established schools in various
localities turned the attention of the Assyrians to America, and they fled from the
rule of the Moslem Turk and sought shelter under the American flag. This im-
migration began about 1893, and soon there were several large Assyrian communi-
ties in the United States. Some of these people were members of the Assyrian
1 No revision of history, doctrine, or organization was furnished by this body for 1936, hence this statement
is substantially the same as that published in vol. II of the Report on Keligious Bodies, 1926.
ASSYRIAN JACOBITE APOSTOLIC1 CHUUCH 75
Roman Catholic Church, others belonged to the Assyrian Protestant Church,
while still others belonged to the Assyrian Nestprian Church or the Chaldean
Church. On coming here, all except the Nestorians identified themselves with
their respective American denominations. The majority of them, however, were
members of the Assyrian Jacobite Apostolic faith, and as the number of immi-
grants continued to increase, church services for them were in great demand.
In April 1907, the Assyrian Americans sent Deacon Hanna Koorie, then of
Paterson, N. J., to Jerusalem. There he was ordained priest and later a koorie
(cvhoorie). He returned to the United States September 28 of the same year.
Immediately afterward, he assembled the dispersed Assyrians, for the first time,
to worship in St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Paterson, N. J. The members of this
faith are scattered in various States, but their churches were reported only from
two New England States, New Jersey, and Michigan.
DOCTRINE
The doctrine of this church is based on the Nicene Creed. It varies, however
from that of the Western Church as regards the procession of the Holy Ghost
and uses the phraseology, "the Holy Ghost proceeded from the Father and is
with the Son." It accepts the canons of the first three General Councils of the
church, namely, the Nicene, Constantinople, and Ephesus, as well as the writings
of the recognized fathers of the church of the period of these councils. It teaches
that Christ was perfect God and perfect man. The interpretation of the Bible,
the ecclesiastical ordinances, as well as the traditions of the church, are held
equally important. The seven sacraments, baptism, confirmation, the eucharist,
penance, extreme unction, orders, and matrimony, are accepted. Baptism is
administered by pouring and by immersion, chiefly the latter; it usually takes
place several days after birth, and is followed by the ceremony of anointing with
the sacred oil or chrism in the form of a cross, and by the laying on of hands.
The minister also breathes on the child and on the water. The membership of
the church includes all baptized persons. Auricular confession is accepted. Holy
Communion is the sacrament which contains the body and blood of Christ under
appearance of bread and wine. It is received fasting and is given to the laity in
only one kind, the form of bread. The Blessed Virgin and the saints are venerated,
and prayers are offered for the dead.
ORGANIZATION
The organization of the Assyrian Jacobite Apostolic Church centers on the
Patriarch of Antioch, who resides at Mardin, Dair el Zahfaran, and his authority
is supreme on faith and in all church matters. Next in rank is the Metropolitan,
or mifrian, who resides in Mosul and who ordains the bishops. Then follow the
iskiffs and the mitrans, who together with the mifrian, act as advisers to the
patriarch and as heads of various commissions or congregations which have charge
of the church administration. Only a mifrian can become a patriarch. The
mifrian is chosen from the mitrans all of whom are celibates. Then follows the
office of bishop, or koorie (cvhoorie), rhahib, priest, and deacon, respectively.
A deacon under 30 years of age cannot be ordained to the priesthood. A celibate
deacon can be ordained to the office of rhahib, mitran, mifrian, and patriarch.
A married deacon can become a priest, a koorie (cvhoorie) , or an iskiff .
The government of this church is democratic, every officer of the church from
the lowest to the highest being chosen by the people. It is also in a sense hier-
archical, for every priest must be ordained by a bishop whose commission is traced
to the apostles through the apostolic succession of bishops. The Patriarch of
Antioch is the supreme head of all the Assyrian churches throughout the world,
and he was represented at the second World Conference on Faith and Order at
Lausanne, Switzerland.
The official periodical of the church is the Beth Nahrin (Mesopotamia), pub-
lished in West New York, N. J.
BAHA'IS
STATISTICS
Summary for the United States, with urban-rural classification, — A general
summary of the statistics for the American Bahd/is for the year 1936 is presented
in table 1, which shows, also, the distribution of these statistics between urban
and rural territory. These statistics were compiled from schedules sent dfrectly
to the Bureau by the individual assemblies and the data relate to these assemblies
only.
To become a voting member of a BaM'i community one must be a resident of
the locality (city, town, or village) in which the community exists; have attained
the age of 21 years; and have established to the satisfaction of the local Spiritual
Assembly, subject to the approval of the National Assembly, that he possesses
all the qualifications of Bahd'i faith and practice.
TABLE 1. — SUMMARY OF STATISTICS FOB ASSEMBLIES IN URBAN AND RURAL
TERRITORY, 1936
ITEM
Total
In urban
territory
In rural
territory
PERCENT OF
TOTAL 1
Urban
Rural
Assemblies (local organizations), number 3
88
2,584
29
171
354
2,059
483
10
2,574
0.4
17
$6,827
$125
$2,028
$281
$5
$3,464
$924
$402
84
2,534
30
163
337
2,034
48.4
9
2,525
0.4
15
$5,822
$125
$1,528
$281
$5
$2,959
$924
$388
4
50
13
8
17
25
(3)
1
49
(0
2
$1,005
MenObers, number ,
98,1
1.9
Average membership per assembly
Membership by sex.
Male
95.3
95.2
98.8
4.7
4.8
1.2
Female .. -
Sex not reported ._
Males per 100 females
Membership by age:
Under 13 years
13 years and over . . ,
98.1
1.9
Percent under 13 years
Expenditures :
Assemblies reporting, number _ -
Amount reported- .
85.3
1000
75.3
100.0
14.7
Eepairs and improvements
All other current expenses, including interest--
Local relief and charity, Red Cross, etc.-- _
$500
24.7
Home missions
To general headquarters for distribution
$505
85.4
100.0
14.6
All other purposes
Average expenditure per assembly
$503
1 Percent not shown where base is less than 100.
3 This body does not report churuh edifices, except the National Temple of the American Bah&'is. This
temple is in the course of construction and the present value is reported as $1,040,000.
s Ratio not shown where number of females is less than 100.
76
BAHA'IS
77
The data given for 1936 represent 88 fully organized local assemblies, or com-
munities, of Bahd/is, with 2,574 voting members, having direct connection with
the National Administrative Board, and there were 10 members under 13 years
of age. With regard to this membership it may also be stated that many other
persons who retain their membership in other denominations attend the Baha"'i
meetings and are closely identified with the movement. No parsonages or
Sunday schools were reported.
Comparative data, 1906-36. — Table 2 present?, in convenient form for com-
parison, a summary of the available statistics of this body for the four census
years 1936, 1926, 1916, and 1906. The change between 1926 and 1916 in the
character of the returns is explained by a change in the method of organization
of the local assemblies and by the adoption of a moie definite basis for voting
membership.
TABLE 2. — COMPARATIVE SUMMARY, 1906 TO 1936
ITEM
1936
1926
1916
1906
Assemblies (local organizations), number
88
44
57
24
Increase^ over preceding census:
Number
44
-13
33
Percent 2
Members, number _ .» -.,...„
2,584
1,247
2,884
1,280
Increase 1 over preceding census:
Number . . . .
1,337
-1,637
1,604
Percent
107.2
—56.8
125.3
Average membership per assembly
29
28
51
53
TVmples, miTmbfif
1
1
1
Amount reported
3 $1, 040, 000
3 $500, 000
$1, 273
Expenditures :
Asserobhfis reporting, number
17
23
Amount reported. .
$6, 827
* $51, 000
$6, 877
Repairs and improvements
$125
$2, 134
All other current expenses, including interest . .
$2, 028
$800
Local relief and charity, Red Cross, etc
$281
$3, 943
Home missions. __ . _
$5
To general headquarters for distribution
$3, 464
All other purposes
$924
Average expenditure per assembly
$402
$299
Sunday schools :
Assemblies reporting, number ._
4
1
Officers ftTid tBRchftrs
12
7
Scholars _. --
123
32
1 A minus sign (— ) denotes decrease.
2 Percent not shown where base is less than 100.
3 Represents the value of the National Temple of the American Bah&'is, which is in the course of con-
struction.
4 Includes only the budget of the National Spiritual Assembly. Detailed expenditures not reported by
the individual assemblies.
State tables. — Tables 3 and 4 present the statistics for the Bah&'is by States.
Table 3 gives for each State for 1936 the number and membership of the assemblies
classified according to their location in urban or rural territory. Table 4 gives
for selected States the number and membership of the assemblies for the census
years 1936, 1926, 1916, and 1906.
78
CENSUS OF RELIGIOUS BODIES, 1936
TABLE 3. — NUMBER AND MEMBERSHIP OF ASSEMBLIES IN URBAN AND RURAL
TERRITORY, BY STATES, 1936
GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION AND
STATE
NUMBER OF ASSEMBLIES
NUMBER OF MEMBERS
Total
Urban
Rural
Total
Urban
Rural
United States
88
84
4
2,584
31
112
40
354
121
49
185
30
427
105
282
52
15
9
10
26
80
28
CO
15
9
2
40
38
71
40
353
2,534
50
NEW ENGLAND:
M^aine
1
4
2
10
2
7
2
9
6
4
3
1
2
1
2
1
I
4
1
1
1
2
1
3
1
12
1
4
2
10
4
2
7
2
9
6
4
3
1
2
1
1
1
1
4
1
1
1
2
1
2
1
10
31
112
40
354
121
49
185
30
427
105
282
52
IS
9
10
16
80
28
60
15
9
2
40
38
56
40
328
M! assachuset t s
C oitnect lent
MIDDLE ATLANTIC:
New York
New Jersey
Pennsylvania
EAST NORTH CENTRAL-
Ohio
Indiana
Illinois
Michigan
Wisconsin
WEST NORTH CENTRAL:
Minnesota
Missouri
Nebraska
Kansas
SOUTH ATLANTIC:
Maryland _- _
1
10
District of Columbia
Georgia
Florida
EAST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Tennessee
MOUNTAIN:
Montana
Idaho
Colorado ... _.
Arizona - - -
PACIFIC:
Washington
1
15
Oregon .
California
2
25
TABLE 4:. — NUMBER AND MEMBERSHIP OF ASSEMBLIES, BY STATES, 1906 TO 1936
[Separate presentation is limited to States having 3 or more assemblies in either 1936, 1926, 1916, or 1908]
STATE
NUMBER OF ASSEMBLIES
NUMBER OF MEMBERS
1936
1926
1916
1906
1936
1936
1916
1906
United States._
88
44
57
24
2,584
1,247
2,884
1,280
70
23
58
52
87
492
28
167
Massachusetts .
4
10
4
2
7
9
6
4
3
4
3
12
120
3
5
3
2
3
3
4
3
5
7
6
3
4
2
5
5
1
2
2
2
3
1
2
3
112
354
121
49
185
427
105
282
52
60
71
353
413
70
245
55
62
61
179
70
36
172
295
98
132
223
562
58
165
New York _. _, - . _ .
New Jersey ..........
Pennsylvania ..„.., „„
Ohio
Illinois . . . . .
Michigan _ . .. _ .
Wisconsin
Minnesota __ ...........
Florida
Washington
1
8
9
3
5
12
2
2
4
30
205
234
180
497
502
39
110
154
California
Other States
i Includes: Maine, 1; Connecticut, 2; Indiana, 2; Missouri, 1; Nebraska, 2; Kansas, 1; Maryland, 2;
Georgia, 1; District of Columbia, 1: Tennessee. 1: Montana. l:Idaho. 1: Colorado. 2: Arizona. 1: and OrAenn. i.
BAHA 'IS 79
HISTORY, DOCTRINE, AND ORGANIZATION 1
HISTORY
For more than 80 years, the Baha'i cause has been steadfastly presented to the
world as the expression for this age of the same universal Spirit which in other
ages spoke through Zoroaster, Muhammad, the Buddha, Moses, Christ; and as
one Divine utterance and continuous purpose, giving forth one and the same
message, albeit adapted, to the conditions and human capacities of each time.
Each successive revelation renews the spirit of faith and confirms the ideals of
the previous prophets and messengers; but religion also progresses and each
cycle discloses a new aspect of truth. In Bah&Vllali, according to his explicit
text, the Message of God has been revealed to mankind in its fullness and uni-
versality, and the Baha'i cause accordingly represents the fulfillment of that
which was but partially revealed in previous dispensations.
The history and general principles of the Bahd'is, as expressed in the teachings
of the founder and his followers, are given in the following condensed statements:
The first significant Baha'i date is May 23, 1844.
At that time Western Asia was decadent. The administration of justice was
inefficient; bribery and dishonesty pervaded all ranks, while education and sani-
tation were neglected. In Persia the dominant religious party was the Shi'ih
sect of Muhammadans, who were noted for intolerance and bigotry and regarded
Jews, Christians, Zoroastrians, and even Muhammadans of other sects, as people
in error, considering it a merit to insult and revile them. Yet the life of the spirit
was not extinct, and amid the prevailing worldliness and superstition could
still be found some who longed for the establishment of God's kingdom and were
eagerly awaiting the coming of the promised Messenger, confident that the time
of His advent was at hand.
On the date previously mentioned, there appeared in Shiraz a young man of
24, Mirzd 'All Muhammad, who took the title of the Bab (i. e., "Gate" or
"Door"), and who bore much the same relation to Bahd'u'llah as John the
Baptist had to Christ. He publicly announced his mission and began to teach
and train a band of disciples, heralding the dawn of a new era and proclaiming
the coming of one greater than himself, whom he referred to as "Him Whom
God Shall Manifest." From the beginning of his teaching until his martyrdom,
the Bdb exemplified in his life the pure spiritual destiny of the prophets and
messengers cf old. Through him a large portion of the Muslim population of
Persia became imbued with the new faith, but against him gathered the fanatical
hatred of the Muslim clergy and the desperate fear of the civil rulers. He was
imprisoned, scourged, haled before tribunals, dragged from one place of confine-
ment to another, and at last, after 6 years of indignities and ill-treatment, was
condemned to death as a heretic to the principles of Islam. His execution took
glace in the city of Tabriz, where, on July 9, 1850, he was publicly shot in the
arrack square together with one of his followers.
The martyrdom of the Bab fanned the flame of enthusiasm among his adherents
and they grew and multiplied despite fierce persecution. Their houses were
pillaged and destroyed, their wives and children carried off, many were beheaded,
blown from the mouths of cannon, burned, or chopped to pieces. Over 20,000
believers gave up property, families, and lives, rather than deny their faith, yet
for every one that was martyred, many joined the cause.
Among the first and foremost of the BaVs supporters was Mirzd, Husayn t Ali,
better known as Bah&Vllah (i. e., Glory of God). He was 2 years older than
the Bab, having been born in Teheran on November 12, 1817. His family was
one of the noblest and oldest in Persia and his own goodness and generosity had
gained for him the title of "Father of the poor," yet this did not prevent his
being thrown into pvrison when he espoused the cause of the Bab. When, in
1852, there arose a fresh outbreak of persecution against the Babis, as they were
called, BahaVllah bedame the target for all the bitterness engendered by failure
to extinguish the new light of faith. Confined in a filthy underground dungeon
along with murderers and other criminals, loaded with chains, bastinadoed, he
was finally exiled with his family and a handful of faithful followers to Baghdad
in Mesopotamia. A few months later, he withdrew into the wilderness, where he
spent 2 years in prayer and meditation, living the simple life of the dervish.
After his return his fame became greater than ever. People flocked to Baghdad
to hear him and the Babi movement grew rapidly despite all efforts of the Mullas
i This statement was furnished by Horace Holley, secretary, National Spiritual Assembly of the BahS'is
of the United States and Canada, Wilmette, 111.
80 CENSUS OF RELIGIOUS BODIES, 1936
to bring about its extinction. So he was ordered to a more distant exile, first in
Constantinople, then in Adrianople, and finally confined for life in the desolate
barracks of 'Akka1, a Turkish penal colony on the Mediterranean, south of Beirut
and facing Mount Carmel. Here he instructed a large number of disciples, some
of them coming from a long distance, while he ministered to others through his
writings.
On April 21, 1863, in the garden of Ridvan just outside Baghdad, BahaVMh
had made known to a few followers that he was the one proclaimed and promised
by the Bab. This announcement was made public in his famous Epistles in
Adrianople, previous to the journey to 'Akka1, in 1868. Bv this event the B£bi
movement was fulfilled in the cause of Bahd/u'llah and the streams of Christian
and Jewish prophecy united with the inner reality of the Muslim religion. Baha-
'u'll&h gave the glad tidings to East and West that the day of God had dawned,
that a new and universal cycle had been established — the age of brotherhood, of
peace, of the knowledge of God. This message was inscribed in Tablets, or Epistles,
written during his 40 years of exile and imprisonment, to kings and rulers, to
representatives of the several religions, to his own followers in response to ques-
tions, and in a great number of books containing the essence of universal religion,
science, and philosophy. In the annals of the world, no spiritual revelation has
been made under such conditions of personal oppression and hardship. The effect
of Band'u'lla'h upon his followers, even upon his enemies, was unique and inde-
scribable. About him emanated a majesty that glorified every suffering, an awe
that penetrated to the rudest soul, a consecrated love that pprtrayed man in his
ultimate perfection.
Bah&Vllah ascended in 1892, leaving a testament naming as his successor his
eldest surviving son, Abbots Effendi, better known as 'Abdu'l-Bah£ (Servant of
Baha1) . From early childhood he shared his father's labors, and later became the
authoritative interpreter of his teachings. By his singleness of devotion, purity
of life, tireless effort, humanitarian love, and unfailing wisdom, the Bahd'i mes-
sage slowly but surely spread to all parts of the world. His confinement at 'Akkd,
lasting 40 years, was terminated at last in 1908 by the overthrow of the old
regime by the Young Turks. From 1911 to 1913 'Abdu'1-Bahd journeyed through
Europe and America, unfolding before numerous audiences the spirit of the new
age. In these addresses the message of Bah&'u'lla'h is developed in relation to the
needs of civilization, and an organic harmony is created between religion, science,
economics, and social order. 'Abdu;l-Bah£ expanded the religion of the spirit
to include all the functions of life, destroying forever the antagonism between
"religious" and "secular" matters.
During the World War communication with friends and believers outside Syria
was almost completely cut off, and 'Abdu'1-BaM and his followers suffered great
hardships. During those dreary years the resourcefulness and sagacious philan-
thropy of 'Abdu'l-Bah£ were strikingly shown. He personally organized exten-
sive agricultural operations near Tiberias, bringing under cultivation land which
had been untilled for centuries; thus he secured a great supply of wheat by means
of which famine was averted, not only for the Bah&'is, but for many of the poor
of all religions, whose wants he liberally supplied. After the cessation of hos-
tilities, a knighthood of the British Empire was conferred upon him in recog-
nition of these services. His manifold activities continued with little abatement
until within a day or two of his passing peacefully to the life beyond, on November
28, 1921, at the age of 77. His funeral was attended by thousands of all ranks,
from the Administrator-General of Palestine and the Governor of Jerusalem to
the poorest beggars of Haifa. Prominent representatives of the Muslim, Christian,
and Jewish communities bore eloquent testimony to the love and admiration for
his life and work, a fitting tribute for one who had labored all his days for unity
of religions, of races, of tongues.
'Abdu'1-Bahd, has been succeeded in the leadership of the movement by his
eldest grandson, Shoghi Effendi, who is now known as "Guardian of the Cause."
DOCTRINE
The Bah&'i religion stresses the principle otf the Oneness of Mankind. It is in
the light of this principle that all its writings are to be viewed and the purpose of
the movement considered. That a spiritual power has been breathed into the
soul of humanity in this age, which shall remove all causes of difference, mis-
understanding, discord, and disagreement — causes resident in customs and insti-
tutions as well as in personal opinions and emotions — and establish the means
and methods as well as the desire for unity, is the essence of the Baha'i teaching
BAHl'lS 81
and faith. This principle of oneness involves so many readjustments, mental,
social, and spiritual, that the wars and strifes of these latter times have been
inevitable. ( Abdu'1-Baha gave to Bah&'u'llah's message an interpretation
directly and immediately applying to the nature of these readjustments, and
setting forth the following principles:
"Unfettered search after truth and the abandonment of all superstition and
prejudice; the oneness of mankind — all are 'leaves of one tree, flowers in one
garden7; religion must be a cause of love and harmony, else it is no religion; all
religions are one in their fundamental principles; religion must conform with
science, bringing faith and reason into full accord; and recognition of the unity
of God and obedience to His commands as revealed through His Divine Mani-
festations.
"There should be no idle rich and no idle poor; every one should have an occupa-
tion, for 'work in the spirit of service is worship/ Compulsory education is
advocated, especially for girls who will be the mothers and the first educators of
the next generation. In all walks of life, both sexes should have equal oppor-
tunities for development and equal rights and privileges.
"An auxiliary international language should be adopted and taught in all the
schools in order to bring men into closer fellowship and better understanding.
In the interest of universal peace, there should be established a universal league
of nations, in which all nations and peoples should be included, and an Inter-
national Parliament to arbitrate all international disputes."
Thus the mission of Baha''u'lla*h is the spiritual unity of mankind. While he
came to the East, his mission is to the West as well, and his teachings are suited
to all classes and conditions of men. At present there are Bah^is located not only
in Muhammadan countries, but also throughout Europe, the United States, and
Canada; and this phenomenal spread of the movement, the Baha'is believe, is
due to the fact that Bahd/u'llah fulfilled the prophecies of all religious beliefs,
both past and present; and through the power of the Baha'i movement, there
is being created a new religious unity in the world.
ORGANIZATION
The Bahd/i movement has no ecclesiastical organization. It holds that an offi-
cial clergy tends to become a substitute for religion rather than an instrument for
carrying spiritual influence into the world. Propaganda is carried on by means
of the local Baha"'i communities or groups in which believers and inquirers meet
at stated intervals for study of the "Revealed Words." The local Bah&'i com-
munity is given official recognition only after its number of adult declared believers
exceeds nine. Up to this point, the community exists as a voluntary group of
workers and students. This local group, involving as it does men and women in
all the normal activities and relations of life, is the democratic foundation upon
which rests the entire evolution of the cause.
The responsibility for and supervision of local BaM'i affairs is vested in a body
known as the Spiritual Assembly. This body is limited to nine 2 members and is
elected annually on April 21, the first day of Ridv^n (the festival commemorating
the declaration of Bah^Vlldh). The local Spiritual Assemblies of a country are
linked together and coordinated through another elected body of nine members,
the National Spiritual Assembly. 'Abdu'l-Bahd's instructions provide for further
development of Baha"7i organization through an International Spiritual Assembly
(Baytu'l-'Adl, i. e., House of Justice) elected by the members of the various
National Spiritual Assemblies, but this international body has not yet come into
existence.
To assist the Guardian (now Shoghi Effendi) in his manifold responsibilities
and duties and particularly in the promotion of the teaching work, 'Abdu'1-Baha*
provided for the appointment of a group of coworkers to be known as "The Hands
of the Cause of God." The selection of this body is a function of the Guardian,
and these from their own number are to elect nine persons who will be closely
associated with the Guardian in the discharge of his duties ; It is the function of
the Guardian also to appoint his own successor, this appointment to be ratified
by nine Hands of the Cause.
The Bahd/is have inaugurated a new calendar, dating their era from the year
of the B£b's declaration, 1844; the New Year falls at the spring equinox (March 21) ;
and the year consists of 19 months of 19 days each, with four intercalary days.
2 In BaM'i symbology, 9 is the number of perfection.
82 CJENStJS OF RELIGIOXJ'S BODIES, 1936
The Baha'i teachings explicitly forbid the appointment of a professional clergy.
They hold that spiritual instruction should not be sold, and their teachers have no
authority over the conscience of any member of the cause. The greatest privilege
of a believer, after securing his own financial independence, is to serve voluntarily
and without pay as a teacher under the supervision of a local or National Spiritual
Assembly.
WORK
The Baha'i faith works for the betterment of mankind and the establishment
of a world civilization. The objects of the Baha'i cause are identical with the
true objects of all revealed religion; to raise man from the earthly to the heavenly
condition; to substitute spiritual laws and realities for natural laws and realities
operating in the darkness of unfaith; to initiate a new age and era of progress and
attainment in the world of mind; and to transform civilization into the glory of
the kingdom. To this end it patiently endeavors to remold the world.
The Baha'is in America have established a national center, a temple of worship,
called the Mashriqu'l-Adhk^r (Dawning Place of God's Praise). This is now in
process of completion at Wilmette, a suburb of Chicago. The temple proper or
sanctuary for prayer and praise will be surrounded by accessory buildings of
humanitarian intent, including schools, hospitals, homes for orphans and the
aged, and a university for the study of the higher sciences and arts. The relation
of all these buildings one with another and with the central edifice discloses the
relation of the organic functions of society with the spirit of religion. The
Mashriqu'l-Adhkar perfectly symbolizes the twofold nature of religion — one
aspect the turning to God, the other aspect service to man.
In addition to the house of worship, the American Baha'is operate summer
schools at Green Acre, Eliot, Maine; Geyserville, Calif.; and Davison, Mich.
About 20 of the 88 local assemblies are now incorporated under their respective
State statutes.
BAPTIST BODIES
GENERAL STATEMENT
It is a distinct principle with Baptists that they acknowledge no human founder,
recognize no human authority, and subscribe to no human creed. For all these
things, Baptists of every name and order go back to the New Testament. And
while no competent Baptist historian assumes to be able to trace a succession of
Baptist churches through the ages, most of them are of one accord in believing
that, if we could secure the records, there would be found heroic groups of be-
lievers in every age who upheld with their testimonies and, in many cases, with
their lives, the great outstanding and distinctive principles of the Baptist churches
of today.
As soon^as the Reformation gave men opportunity to interpret the teachings
of the Scriptures for themselves, and to embody their convictions in speech and
act, persons holding Baptist doctrines immediately began to appear. In the
first quarter of the sixteenth century, they were found in Germany and Switzer-
land, and were called Anabaptists (Re-baptizers) , because they insisted that
persons baptized in infancy must, upon profession of conversion, and in order to
gain admission into church fellowship, be baptized again, although they do not
appear to have insisted always on immersion. These early Anabaptists were in
the main of high character, though in some instances they held doctrines which
led to fanatical outbreaks which aroused no little prejudice against them.
Gradually, in spite of severe persecution, the Anabaptists grew in numbers.
Some of them, driven from Germany, found refuge in the Low Countries and
these were gathered, under the lead of Menno Simons, into the groups of Men-
nonites who passed over into England, and doubtless played an important part
in giving currency to Baptist principles. To their influence, in all probability,
the English Baptists owe their first churches, established in Amsterdam in 1608
and in London in 1611. Glimpses of them appear in the days preceding the
Commonwealth, and during the Cromwellian period they became more prominent.
It was due to this Mennonite influence that the early Baptist churches in England
were Arminian rather than Calvinistic in type, and were termed General Baptists,
indicating belief in a universal atonement, in distinction from Particular Baptists,
indicating a limited atonement. The first Calvinistic or Particular Baptist
church was formed in London in 1638, its members seceding peaceably from an
older Separatist congregation. In 1641 a further secession from the same Sepa-
ratist church occurred, and the new group became convinced from study of the
New Testament that the apostolic baptism was immersion. They sent one of
their number to Holland, where he was immersed by a minister of the Collegiate
Church at Rhynsberg, where the practice of immersion had been introduced, and
on his return the rest of the church were immersed. Gradually this practice was
adopted by all the. Baptist churches and became in the popular mind their dis-
tinguishing feature. The General and Particular Baptists were united in 1891.
The first Baptist Church in America was probably established by Roger Wil-
liams, the "Apostle of Religious Liberty," in Providence, R. L, in 1639, although
this honor is disputed by the First Baptist Church of Newport, R. I., organized,
it is claimed, by Dr. John Clarke as pastor, in 1638. Roger Williams was a Sepa-
ratist minister who came to the Massachusetts Colony in 1631, and was banished
from that colony because "he broached and divulged new and dangerous opinions
against the authority of magistrates." Having established himself at Providence,
he adopted essentially Baptist views and soon gathered a number of converts to
this faith. As there was no Baptist church in existence in America at that time, he
baptized Ezekiel Holliman, who thereupon baptized him. Williams then baptized
10 others, and this company of Baptist believers organized themselves into a
church. John Clarke came from New Hampshire to Newport about the same
time, and, apparently without any connection with the work of Williams, estab-
lished a Baptist church in that town.
83
275318—41 7
84 CENSUS' OF RELIGIOUS BODIES, 1936
These early American Baptist churches belonged to the Particular, or Cal-
vinistic, branch. Later, Arminian views became widely spread for a time, but
ultimately the Calvinistic view of the atonement was generally accepted by the
main body of Baptists in the Colonies. The divisions which now exist began to
make their appearance at a relatively early date. In 1652 the church at Provi-
dence divided, one party organizing a church which marked the beginning of the
General Six Principle Baptists. The Seventh Day Baptist body organized its
first church at Newport in 1671. Arminianism practically disappeared from the
Baptist churches of New England about the middle of the eighteenth century,
but General Baptists were found in Virginia before 17J.4, and this branch gained
a permanent foothold in the South. As a result of the revival movement, gen-
erally known as the New Light movement, which followed George Whitefield's
visit to New England in 1740, the Separate Baptists came into existence and at
one time were very numerous. The Free Baptists,1 in 1779, once more gave a
general and widely accepted expression in New England to the Arminian view of
the atonement.
Soon after the Revolutionary War, the question of the evangelization of the
Negro race assumed importance, and a Colored Baptist church was organized in
1788. With the general revival movement at the close of the eighteenth and the
beginning of the nineteenth centuries, to which the Free Baptists owed no small
part of their growth, there developed, especially in the mountain sections of the
Middle West and in the Southern States, a reaction toward a sterner Calvinism,
which, combined with the natural Baptist emphasis upon individualism, pro-
duced a number of associations strictly, even rigidly, Calvinistic, some of them
going to the extent of dualism, as in the doctrine of the Two-Seed-in-the-Spirit
Predestinarian Baptists.
About the same time, as missionary work became organized into societies,
many of these associations opposed, not so much mission work itself, as its or-
ganization, through fear of a developing ecclesiasticism. These were variously
termed "Old School/' "Antimission," "Hard Shell," and "Primitive" Baptists;
but gradually the term "Primitive" became the most widely known and adopted.
In contradistinction to these, the associations, or churches, which approved of
missionary societies, came to be designated Missionary Baptists, though there
was no definite denominational organization under that name.
The denominations mentioned, however, do not represent all who hold Baptist
views, for during the revival period just referred to, the Disciples of Christ and
the Churches of Christ arose, and they have many things in common with Baptists,
although they differ from the other bodies in some interpretations. With them
also may be classed the Adventists, the Brethren (Dunker, Plymouth, and River),
Mennonites, and certain other bodies. The Armenian and Eastern Orthodox
churches practice baptism by immersion, but do not limit it to those of mature
years.
It thus appears that a survey of Baptist bodies should include not only those
which make the term an integral part of their title, but some which are not
ordinarily classed with them. It is also evident that among those who accept
the name Baptists there are many differences, some of great importance. Sev-
enth Day Baptists agree with other Baptist bodies except in regard to the Sab-
bath, but the distinction between Primitive Baptists and Free Will Baptists is
much more marked than between Baptists and Disciples. Any presentation of
the strength of Baptist denominations must take into account these divergencies.
By far the largest body of Baptists, not only in the United States but in the
world, is that popularly known as "Baptist," though frequently referred to, and
listed in the census of 1890, as "Regular Baptists." Other Baptist bodies prefix
some descriptive adjective, such as "Primitive," "United," "General," "Free
Will," etc., but this, which is virtually the parent body, commonly has no such
qualification. Its churches, however, are ordinarily spoken of as "Northern,"
"Southern," and "Colored." This does not imply any divergence in doctrine or
ecclesiastical order. All are one in these respects. It is rather a distinction
adopted for administrative purposes, and based upon certain local or racial charac-
teristics and conditions, the recognition of which implies no lack of fellowship or
of unanimity of purpose. Should these distinctions cease to exist, there is nothing
whatever to prevent the same unity in matters of administration which now exists
in belief, fellowship, and ecclesiastical practice.
* In 1926 the Free Baptist churches were included with those of the Northern Baptist Convention.
BAPTISE BODIES'
85
STATISTICS
The denominations grouped as Baptists in 1936, 1926, 1916, and 1906 are listed
in the table following, with the principal statistics as reported for the four periods.
In 1926 certain changes were noted: Under Negro Baptists were included the
former National Baptist Convention, later the National Baptist Convention,
U. S. A.; the National Baptist Convention of America; the Lott-Carey Missionary
Baptists; and those colored Baptist churches that were formerly reported with the
Northern Baptist Convention. The Free Baptists of the 1916 report became a
part of the Northern Convention. A new body was organized, under the name
Independent Baptist Church of America; and a new denomination came out of
the Southern Baptist Convention, called the American Baptist Association.
In 1936 it will be noted that the General Association of Regular Baptist Churches
in the United States of America, composed of churches which withdrew from
fellowship with the Northern Baptist Convention, appears for the first time*
The National Baptist Evangelical Life and Soul Saving Assembly of the United
States of America, composed of churches which withdrew from the National
Baptist Convention, U. S. A., is reported for the first time. The Seventh Day
Baptists (German, 1728), which appeared in previous census reports with the
German Baptist Brethren (Bunkers), is now shown with the Baptist bodies.
The Free Will Baptists (Bullockites) did not report as they no longer hold meet-
ings. These statistics were compiled from schedules sent directly to the Bureau
by the pastor or clerk of the individual churches and the data relate to these
churches only.
SUMMAKY OF STATISTICS FOR BAPTIST BODIES, 1936, 1926, 1916, AND 1906
DENOMINATION AND CENSUS YEAR
Total number of
churches
§
"S
fc
VALUE" OF CHURCH
EDIFICES
EXPENDITURES
SUNDAY
SCHOOLS
Churches re-
porting
Amount
Churches re-
porting
Amount
Churches re-
porting
ra
(•*
M
o
DQ
1936
Total
49, 478
8, 362, 287
44,251
$389, 661, 696
47, 517
$55,779,246
19, 577, 463
19,630,844
14,978,506
2,548
85,027
192, 620
79,712
103,799
10, 553
24,023
15,448
5,333
157, 530
207,352
660
1,189
352,529
451
42, 876
4,382,097
Baptist bodies:
Northern Baptist Cbnventjon..
Southern Baptist Convention..
Negro Baptists __ __ ..
6,284
1 13,815
23, 093
4
66
920
226
422
69
266
277
91
1,726
1,009
16
8
1,064
7
1,329,044
2,700,155
3,782,464
294
6,698
76, 643
19, 616
36, 573
5,287
17,186
27,000
7,951
69,157
43,897
201
129
115, 022
188
5,922
12,370
21, 045
4
57
692
207
297
52
173
161
68
1,365
876
13
4
848
4
167, 576, 463
117, 766, 295
93,798,181
15, 500
727, 285
1,090,779
468,883
555, 309
66, 670
234,595
179,215
49, 615
2,180,047
1,643,804
6,600
9,300
1,507,798
1,450
6,168
13,521
22,652
4
64
843
226
406
59
186
188
58
1,054
935
10
7
1,020
5
5,904
12, 161
21,976
3
52
699
200
301
55
54
73
20
41
422
892,872
1, 664, 105
1, 656, 638
205
3,306
42,455
8,317
17, 562
2,932
3,358
4,929
992
2,631
13^ 572
General S/x Principle Baptists -
Seventh Day Baptists
Free Will Baptists
United American Free Will
Baptist Church (Colored)
General Baptists *
Separate Baptists
Regular Baptists
United B aptists _
Duck River and Kindred As-
sociations of Baptists (Bap-
tist Church of Christ) .
Primitive Baptists
Colored Primitive Baptists
Two-Seed-in-the-Spirit Predes-
tinarian Baptists
Independent Baptist Church of
America
3
798
3
27
50,008
112
American Baptist Association —
Christian Unity Baptist Asso-
ciation ,.
i Exclusive of statistics for 30 churches belonging to the Columbia Association — 24 in the District of
Columbia and 6 in the State of Maryland — which are reported with the Northern Baptist Convention.
86
CENSUS1 OF RELIGIOUS BODIES, 1936
SUMMARY OF STATISTICS FOR BAPTIST BODIES, 1936, 1926, 1916, AND 1906 —
Continued
DENOMINATION AND CENSUS TEAE
Total number of
churches
Number of members
VALUE OF CHURCH
EDIFICES
EXPENDITURES
SUNDAY
SCHOOLS
Churches re-
porting
+a
<!
Churches re-
porting
Amount
Churches re-
porting
%
£
ta
1936— Continued
Baptist bodies— Continued.
General Association of Regular
Baptist Churches in the
United States of America
Seventh Day Baptists (Ger-
man, 1728) a
84
3
28
60,192
22,345
137
2,300
8,440,922
71
2
20
52, 281
$1,694,448
5,000
84, 459
469, 827, 795
185, 370, 576
173, 456, 965
103, 465, 759
20,500
668, 200
1, 156, 743
308, 425
1,500
706, 325
63,650
647, 550
144, 665
51, 175
1, 730, 348
171, 518
19, 350
12, 000
1, 832, 546
198, 364, 747
83
2
26
54, 145
$340,376
382
12, 901
98, 045, 096
34, 318, 486
42, 904, 563
19, 475, 981
3,046
132, 068
252, 613
67, 773
100
113, 825
9,292
55, 610
15, 094
5,362
166, 847
39, 419
473
2,499
482, 045
40, 027, 119
16, 082, 462
15, 063, 743
8, 361, 919
2,483
67, 695
123, 363
75, 835
36, 647
275
64, 698
9,468
11,855
4,837
2,518
96, 270
22, 881
170
83
2
26
47, 889
17, 021
105
950
4, 654, 241
National Baptist Evangelical
Life and Soul Saving As-
sembly of the United States
of America _ __ _
1936
Total
Baptist bodies:
Northern Baptist Convention..
Southern Baptist Convention..
Negro Baptists
7,611
23, 374
22,081
67
1,024
166
2
465
65
349
221
98
2,267
925
27
13
1,431
57, 828
1,289,966
3,524,378
3,196,623
293
7,264
79, 592
13, 396
36
31, 501
4,803
23,091
18, 903
7,340
81, 374
43, 978
304
222
117, 858
7, 153, 313
7,297
21, 128
19, 833
6
58
765
142
1
353
43
233
139
75
1,037
87
24
6
1,054
50, 716
7,380
22, 338
20, 209
5
65
872
158
1
440
41
223
147
46
776
111
20
10
1»303
51, 797
6,999
19,882
18, 755
5
57
643
144
1
295
37
65
39
14
5
24
1,052,794
2, 345, 630
1, 121, 362
229
4,033
38, 199
5,077
15
18, 797
1,782
4,690
2,005
795
181
2,278
General Six Principle Baptists-
Seventh Day Baptists ._
Free Will Baptists
United American Free Will
Baptist Church (Colored)
Free Will Baptists (Bullock-
i'tes) _ .
General Baptists
Separate Baptists
Regular Baptists
United Baptists
Duck River and Kindred As-
sociations of Baptists (Bap-
tist Church of Christ)
Primitive Baptists
Colored Primit ive Baptists
Two-Seed-in-the-Spirit Predes-
tinarian Baptists
Independent Baptist Church
of America ._
6
918
46, 1G8
7,517
17, 555
19,909
6
66
141
390
87
1
305
30
50
16
8
146
56, 228
3, 946, 888
1, 028, 952
1, 666, 996
1, 181, 270
276
5,005
11, 642
22,421
4,168
12
18, 545
1,711
2,587
701
399
American Baptist Association. .
1916
Total
Baptist bodies:
Northern Baptist Convention. _
Southern Baptist Convention. _
National Baptist Convention ...
General Six Principle Baptists,
Seventh Day Baptists
8,148
23,580
21, 071
10
68
171
750
169
12
517
46
401
254
105
2,142
336
48
1,232,135
2,708,870
2, 938, 579
456
7,980
12, 570
54,833
13, 362
184
33,466
4,254
21, 521
22,097
6,872
80,311
15, 144
679
7,748
19, 268
20, 117
10
59
159
656
164
6
390
40
189
82
49
1,580
164
35
94, 644, 133
58, 348, 373
41,184,920
25, 850
307, 600
670, 720
517, 240
178, 385
3,450
421, 837
47, 565
141. 480
52, 147
40, 600
1,601,807
154, 690
23, 950
7,848
21, 078
19, 988
6
64
153
612
168
3
424
33
143
69
67
964
170
7
Free Baptists __ _ ._
Free Will Baptists
Colored Free Will Baptists
Free Will Baptists (Bulloek-
ites)
General Baptists
Separate Baptists
Regular Baptists
United Baptists
Duck River and Kindred As-
sociations of Baptists (Bap-
tist Church of Christ)
Primitive Baptists
Colored Primitive Baptists
Two-Seed-in-the-Spint Predes-
tinarian Baptists
87
3,201
included with Brethren Bodies in 1926, 1916, and 1906.
BAPTIST BODIES'
87
SUMMARY OF STATISTICS FOR BAPTIST BODIES, 1936, 1926, 1916, AND 1906 —
Continued
DENOMINATION AND CENSUS YEAE
Total number of
churches
Number of members
VALUE OF CHURCH
EDIFICE3
EXPENDITURES
SUNDAY
SCHOOLS
Churches re-
porting
Amount
Churches re-
porting
1
Churches re-
porting
§
1
1906
Total
54,707
5,662,234
49, 329
$139, 842, 656
74, 620, 025
34, 723, 882
24, 437, 272
19, 450
292, 250
2, 974, 130
296, 585
6,900
252, 019
66, 980
36, 715
44, 321
1, 674, 810
296, 539
21, 500
79, 278
41, 165
2,898,914
Baptist bodies:
Northern Baptist Convention—
Southern Baptist Convention. .
National Baptist Convention.-
General Six Principle Baptists.
Seventh Day Baptists
8,247
21,075
18,492
16
76
1,338
608
15
518
73
190
92
2,878
787
55
247
1, 052, 105
2, 009, 471
2, 261, 607
685
8,381
81, 359
40,280
298
30,097
5,180
13, 698
6,416
102, 311
35,076
781
14, 489
7,795
18, 672
17, 890
13
68
1,092
554
8
380
59
75
86
1,953
501
32
151
7,346
14, 371
17, 478
9
67
1,059
263
1
230
45
21
9
851,269
1, 014, 690
924, 665
414
5,117
65, 101
12, 720
25
11, 658
1,962
1,360
402
Free Baptists .
Free Will Baptists _
Free Will Baptists (Bullock-
ites)
General Baptists
Separate Baptists
United Baptists
Duck River and Kindred As-
sociations of Baptists (Bap-
tist Church of Christ)
Primitive Baptists
Colored Primitive Baptists in
America
166
6,224
Two-Seed-in-the-Spirit Predes-
tinarian Baptists
United American Free Will
Baptists (Colored)
100
3,307
BAPTISTS
HISTORY
The history of the early Baptist churches in New England is one of constant
struggle for existence. The Puritan government of Massachusetts was so bitter
in its opposition that nearly a century after Roger Williams there were but eight
Baptist churches in that colony. Conditions elsewhere were similar, although
farther south there was less persecution. Down to the middle of the eighteenth
century it seemed probable that the General, or Arminian, wing would be domi-
nant in New England at least, although in Philadelphia the controversy had re-
sulted in a victory for the Calvinists. With the Great Awakening in 1740, and
the labors of Whitefield, two significant changes appeared in Baptist church
life. Calvinistic views began to predominate in the New England churches, and
the bitter opposition to the Baptists disappeared. By 1784 the 8 churches ^in
Massachusetts had increased to 73, and extension into the neighboring colonies
had begun. With this growth, however, there developed a conflict similar to
that found in the history of other denominations. The "New Lights," later
known as "Separates," were heart and soul with Whitefield in his demands for
a regenerated church membership; the "Old Lights," or "Regulars," earnestly
opposed the introduction of hitherto unrecognized qualifications for the ministry
or, indeed, for church membership. From New England the movement spread,
becoming for a time especially strong in several Southern States. In the South
the two parties eventually united in fellowship, and reorganized as United Bap-
tists. In New England the conflict wore itself out, the Baptist churches being
modified by both influences.
88 CENSUS1 OF EELIGIOUS BODIES, 1936
With the general emancipation from ecclesiastical rule that followed the Revo-
lutionary War, all disabilities were removed from the Baptists in the different
States, and the new Federal Constitution effaced the last vestige of religious
inequality. Under the influence of the later preaching of Whitefield, the close
of the eighteenth century was marked by a renewal of revival interest, and a
new development of the Arminian type of Baptist churches. For some time the
Free Baptists, or Free Will Baptists, as they were variously called, drew consid-
erable strength from the Regular Baptists, but the latter soon became as strong
as ever.
The next significant movement in the Baptist churches was that connected
with the development of foreign missions. In 1792 the Baptists of England had
organized a missionary society to send William Carey to India, and many of
the Baptist churches in the United States had become interested in the move-
ment and contributed toward its support. The first foreign missionary society in
America was the American Board, organized in 1810, in which Congregational,
Presbyterian, Reformed, and other churches united, and among its first mis-
sionaries were Adoniram Judson, his wife, and Luther Rice. Knowing that in
India they were to meet Baptists, they made special study of Baptist doctrine,
and before landing came to the conclusion that believers7 baptism by immersion
was the true method. Judson immediately sent word of their change of view,
and Rice soon after returned to America to present the cause of Baptist mis-
sions, and succeeded in arousing much interest in the churches. To meet the
new conditions it became evident that some organization was essential, and in
1814 the General Missionary Convention of the Baptist Denomination in the
United States of America for Foreign Missions was formed.
The missionary work of this organization, however, represented only a part of
its scope or achievement. It was, indeed, the first step toward bringing the
various local churches together and overcoming the disintegrating tendencies of
extreme independence. Heretofore the Baptists alone had had no form of
ecclesiastical organization. Now, through the necessities of administration,
there was furnished just what was needed to combine the different units into a
whole, and arouse what has come to be known as "denominational consciousness."
For a time this convention undertook to care also for home missions, which had
already been carried on in a somewhat desultory manner through a Domestic
Missionary Society in Massachusetts and a similar one in New York. With the
increasing migration westward and the rapid development of the States, both
North and South, the tax upon the convention, in addition to its foreign mission-
ary interests, became too great, and it was deemed advisable to organize a home
missionary society, which was done in 1832. With the development of interest
in publication, a tract society had been formed in 1824, which in 1840 was renamed
the American Baptist Publication Society.
As the discussion in regard to slavery became acute, there arose the differences
which resulted in three conventions — northern, southern, and national. "The
northern churches, Baptist as well as others, were strongly antislavery; the
southern churches, Baptist as well as others, were, if not always proslavery,'
certainly not antislavery. A crisis was reached when the question was raised
whether the General Missionary Convention (called also the Triennial Convention
because it met once in 3 years) would appoint as a missionary a person who
owned slaves. To this a very decided negative was returned, and since that
involved a denial of what were considered constitutional rights, the southern
churches withdrew in 1845 and formed the Southern Baptist Convention,1
whose purpose was to do for the southern Baptist churches just what the general
convention had hitherto done for the entire Baptist denomination. It was not
a new denomination; simply a new organization for the direction of the missionary
an'd general evangelistic work of the churches of the Southern States.
The development of the National Baptist Convention, representing the Negro
churches, was naturally slower, and when the census of Baptists for 1926 was
taken numerous divisions made it necessary to use the new term, "Negro
Baptists/' which for statistical purposes includes all the various organizations
known as the "National Baptist Convention, U. S. A.," the "National Baptist
Convention of America," the "Lott-Carey Missionary Baptists/' and the colored
Baptist churches, that were formerly included in the Northern Baptist Convention.
» See p. 140.
BAPTISE BODIES! 89
DOCTRINE
Baptists agree with other evangelical bodies on many points of doctrine.
Their cardinal principle is implicit obedience to the plain teachings of the Word
of God. Under this principle, while maintaining with other evangelical bodies
the great truths of the Christian religion, they hold: (1) That the churches are
independent in their local affairs; (2) that there should be an entire separation of
church and state; (3) that religious liberty or freedom in matters of religion is
an inherent right of the human soul; (4) that a church is a body of regenerated
people who have been baptized on profession of personal faith in Christ, and
have associated themselves in the fellowship of the gospel; (5) that infant baptism
is not only not taught in the Scriptures, but is fatal to the spirituality of the
church; (6) that from the meaning of the word used in the Greek text of the
Scriptures, the symbolism of the ordinance, and the practice of the early church,
immersion in water only constitutes baptism; (7) that the scriptural officers of a
church are pastors and deacons; and (8) that the Lord's Supper is an ordinance
within the church observed in commemoration of the sufferings and death of Christ.
The beliefs of Baptists have been incorporated in confessions of faith. Of
these, the Philadelphia Confession, originally issued by the London Baptist
churches in 1689 and adopted with some enlargements by the Philadelphia Asso-
ciation in 1742, and the New Hampshire Confession, adopted by the New Hamp-
shire State Convention in 1832, are recognized as the most important. The
Philadelphia Confession is strongly Calvinistic. The New Hampshire Confession
modifies some of the statements of the earlier documents, and may be character-
ized as moderately Calvinistic. But while these confessions are recognized as
fair expressions of the faith of Baptists, there is nothing binding in them, and they
are not regarded as having any special authority. The final court of appeal for
Baptists is the Word of God. Within limits, considerable differences in doctrine
are allowed, and thus opportunity is given to modify beliefs as new light may
break from or upon the Word. Among Baptists heresy trials are rare.
ORGANIZATION
Baptist Church polity is congregational, or independent. Each church is
sovereign so far as its own discipline and worship are concerned, calls or dismisses
its own pastor, elects its own deacons or other officers, and attends to its own
affairs. Admission to church membership is by vote of the church, usually after
examination of the candidate by the church committee. There is no specific age
limit, but each applicant must have heard the Gospel and believed for himself on
the Lord Jesus Christ. All members have equal voting rights in church matters,
except that in some churches they are restricted to those over a certain age. The
officers are the pastor and deacons, who, with such other persons as the church
may elect, constitute a church committee, usually called the standing committee,
and have general care of the affairs of the church, but no authority, except as it
is specifically delegated to them by the church. Church property is held some-
times by a board of trustees, sometimes by the entire society, and sometimes by
a special committee of the church.
For missionary and educational or other purposes, Baptist churches usually
group themselves into associations and State conventions. The oldest is the
Philadelphia Association, organized in 1707, which stood alone until 1751, when
the Charleston Association was formed in South Carolina. These associations
and conventions meet annually and are composed of messengers sent by the
churches. They elect their own officers, receive reports from the churches, and
make recommendations with regard to work or other matters in which the churches
are interested. They have, however, no authority to legislate for the churches,
and no power to enforce any action they may take. Many of them conduct
missionary or educational work in the fields covered by them.
Applicants for the ministry are licensed to preach by the church in which
they hold membership. If, after a period of service as licentiate, ordination is
desired, a council of sister churches is called by the church in which membership
is held, and on the recommendation of this council, the church arranges for ordi-
nation. In both cases the right to license and the right to ordain are held by th<j
individual church. Previous to ordination there is always an examination of the
candidate on matters of religious experience, call to the ministry, and views on
scriptural doctrine. During his ministry, a pastor is usually a member of the
church which he serves, and is amenable to its discipline. When a question of
dismissal from the ministry arises, the individual church calls a council of sister
churches for the examination of charges, and on the recommendation of this
council, the church usually bases its decision.
90 CENSUS OF RELIGIOUS BODIES, 1936
Besides local associations and State conventions, the Baptists have general, or
national conventions, with home mission societies, foreign mission societies,
educational societies, etc. These larger bodies attend to missionary or educational
work in the various States or districts, and are supported by the churches. Like
the local associations, none of these larger organizations has any authority over the
individual churches.
WORK
The organized activities of the Baptist churches are, for the most part, con-
ducted by societies whose membership includes individuals and delegates from
churches or associations, membership in most cases being based on contributions.
Until the separation of the northern and southern churches, the home missionary
work was carried on chiefly by The American Baptist Publication Society, or-
ganized in 1824, and The American Baptist Home Mission Society, organized
in 1832; and the foreign missionary work, by the General Missionary Convention
of the Baptist Denomination in the United States of America for Foreign Missions,
organized in Philadelphia in 1814. Since the organization of the Southern Bap-
tist Convention the publication society has continued its work throughout the
different States, and has retained its distinctly national character. The American
Baptist Home Mission Society, however, subsequently represented the northern
churches only, as did also the foreign missionary society, which in 1846 changed
its name to the American Baptist Missionary Union, and again in 1910, to the
American Baptist Foreign Missionary Society.
A general movement, manifest throughout the country, in church life as well
as in business and public matters, is that for centralization of administration, in
the interest of both economy and efficiency. The Baptist churches felt this, as
did every other denomination, and began to consider whether their benevolent
societies, hitherto in some respects distinct from each other, might not be brought
into some form of general organization which, by removing possibilities of fric-
tion and securing cooperation, would make for greater efficiency. After con-
siderable discussion a move in this direction was made in 1907, which has been
carried out quite successfully and, it is expected, will work great good both to
the activities of the churches and their general denominational life.
Educational work among the Baptists in the United States has made great
strides in recent years, but the same general independence of ecclesiastical con-
trol is manifest in this department as in the government of the local churches,
and is illustrated in the University of Chicago. The same is true of the manage-
ment of Baptist philanthropic institutions. ,In most cases, however, the mem-
bership of the boards is limited to persons connected with Baptist churches.
In addition to the work done by the denominational societies, a large amount
of missionary and educational work is carried on by individual churches, which is
not included in any denominational statement.
NORTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
STATISTICS
Summary for the United States, with, urban-rural classification. — A general
summary of the statistics for the Northern Baptist Convention for the year 1936
is presented in table 1, which shows also the distribution of these figures between
urban and rural territory.
The membership of this denomination consists of those persons who have
been received into the local church upon profession of faith and baptism by
immersion.
TABLE 1. — SUMMARY OF STATISTICS FOR CHURCHES IN URBAN AND RURAL
TERRITORY, 1936
ITEM
Total
In urban
territory
In rural
territory
PERCENT OF
TOTAL
Urban
Rural
Churches (local organizations), number
6,284
1,329,044
211
493,998
740, 293
94, 753
66.7
60, 691
1, 114, 460
153, 893
5.2
6,085
5,922
$167, 576, 463
$164,911,178
$2, 665, 285
$28, 297
1,694
$20,063,272
3,067
3,149
3,004
$11,930,664
6,168
$19, 577, 463
$6,400,783
$2, 266, 558
$1, 478, 671
$1,364,921
$4,347,318
$436,207
$281, 492
$321, 153
$2,026,258
$654, 102
$3,174
5,904
112, 565
892, 872
2,625
964, 322
367
352, 404
533, 934
77, 984
66.0
47, 891
798, 635
117, 796
5 7
2,561
2,492
$142,430,489
$140, 291, 030
$2, 139, 459
$57, 155
1,239
$19, 041, 188
901
1,391
1,311
$7, 384, 625
2,613
$15, 656, 768
$4,483,215
$2,046,867
$1, 088, 599
$1, 196, 974
$3,712,690
$368, 398
$232, 991
$267, 091
$1, 698, 919
$561, 024
$5,992
2,572
69,845
620, 483
3,659
364, 722
100
141, 594
206,359
16, 769
68.6
12, 800
315,825
36, 097
3.9
3,524
3,430
$25, 145, 974
$24, 620, 148
$525,826
$7, 331
455
$1,022,084
2,166
1,758
1,693
$4, 546, 039
3,555
$3,920,695
$1,917,568
$219, 691
$390,072
$167, 947
$634,628
$67,809
$48, 501
$54,062
$327,339
$93, 078
$1, 103
3,332
42,720
272, 389
41.8
72.6
58.2
27.4
Members, number . .
Average Tnefnl^rship per c1hnr<^h
Membership by sex:
Male
71.3
72.1
82.3
28.7
27.9
17.7
Female
Sex not reported _
Males per 100 females
Membership by age:
Under 13 years —
78.9
71.7
76.5
21.1
28.3
23.5
13 years and over _ -
Age not reported
Percent under 13 years *
Church edifices, number
42.1
42.1
85.0
85.1
80 3
57.9
57.9
15.0
14.9
19.7
Value — number reporting
Amount reported ""
Constructed prior to 1936
Constructed, wholly or in part,
in 1936
Average value per church
Debt — number reporting
73.1
94.9
29.4
44.2
43.6
61.9
42.4
80.0
70.0
90.3
73.6
87.7
85.4
84.5
82.8
83.2
83.8
85.8
26.9
5.1
70.6
55.8
56.4
38.1
57.6
20.0
30.0
9.7
26.4
12.3
14.6
15.5
17.2
16.8
16.2
14.2
Amount reported
Number reporting "no debt"
Parsonages number -
Value~~number reporting
Amount reported-
Expenditures ;
Churches reporting, number
Amount reported
Pastors' salaries
All other salaries
Repairs and improvements
Payment on church debt, excluding
All other current expenses, including
interest
Local relief and charity, Red Cross,
etc
TTo"m$ Tni<5<?irms _ _ _
Foreign missions
To general headquarters for distribu-
tion
All other purposes- _
Sunday schools :
Churches reporting number - - - -
43.6
62.0
69.5
56.4
38.0
30.5
Officers and teachers
Scholars
* Based on membership with age classification reported.
91
92
CENSUS1 OF KELIGIOUS BODIES, 1936
TABLE 1* — SUMMARY OF STATISTICS FOR CHURCHES IN URBAN AND RURAL
TERRITORY, 1936 — Continued
ITEM
Total
In urban
territory
In rural
territory
PERCENT OF
TOTAL
Urban
Rural
Summer vacation Bible schools :
Churches reporting, number ., --
1,653
16, 623
129, 349
311
1,751
19, 659
42
736
4,805
829
10, 025
82, 852
210
1,291
14,747
24
574
4,072
824
6,598
46,497
101
460
4,912
18
162
733
50.2
60.3
64.1
67.5
73.7
75.0
0)
78.0
84.7
49.8
39.7
35.9
32.5
26.3
25.0
00
22.0
15.3
Officers and teachers _. _
Scholars -- - -
Weekday religious schools :
Churches reporting number
Officers and teachers - --
Scholars -. -
Parochial schools :
Churches reporting number
Officers and teachers
Scholars - --
2 Percent not shown where base is less than 100.
Comparative data, 1906-36. — Table 2 presents, in convenient form for com-
parison, a summary of the available statistics of the Northern Baptist Convention
for the census years 1936, 1926, 1916, and 1906. Statistics for 1916 and 1906
include those of the Free Baptist churches, that body having united with the
Northern Baptist Convention since 1916. The Colored Baptist churches in
Northern States, because of their membership in colored associations, are included
under the Negro Baptists at the censuses of 1936 and 1926.
TABLE 2. — COMPARATIVE SUMMARY, 1906 TO 1936
ITEM
1936
1936
1916i
1906i
Churches (local organizations), number ._
6,284
7,611
8,319
9,585
Increase 2 over preceding census:
TsTirrnhei* u , , -, . ._ . _
— 1, 327
-708
— 1, 266
Percent
—17.4
-8.5
—13.2
Members, number _._.__
1,329,044
1 289,966
1, 244, 705
1 133 464
Increase over preceding census:
Number - - -
39, 078
45, 261
111, 241
Percent
3.0
3.6
9 8
Average membership per church
211
169
150
118
Church. edifices, number
6 085
7 722
8 264
9 355
Value— number reporting
5,922
7 297
7 907
8 887
Amount reported -
$167, 576, 463
$185, 370, 576
$95, 314, 853
$77 594 155
Average value per church
$28, 297
$25, 404
$12, 054
$8 731
Debt — number reporting
1,694
1,603
1,797
1 679
Amount reported
$20, 063, 272
$16 004 041
$7, 322, 615
$5 287 911
Parsonages, number _
3,149
Vatoft — number reporting.
3,004
3 716
3 233
2 899
Amount reported
$11, 930 664
$18 279 770
$8 432 072
$5 989 838
Expenditures :
Ohiirohes report] ng, num ber ..
6,168
7,380
8,001
Amount reported
$19, 577, 463
$34, 318, 486
$16,205 825
Pastors' salaries
$6 400 783
All other salaries
$2 266 558
Eepairs and improvements
$1, 478, 671
Payment on church debt, excluding
$27, 647, 658
$12, 972, 200
interest
$1, 364, 921
All other current expenses, including
interest ._
$4, 347, 318
Local relief and charity, Bed Cross, etc_.
Home missions
$436, 207
$281, 492
[Foreign missions, .
$321, 153
$6,656 755
$3 194 411
To general headquarters for distribution.
All other purposes
$2,026,258
$654, 102
Not classified
$14 073
$39 214
Average expenditure per church
$3, 174
$4, 650
$2' 025
Sunday schools:
Churches reporting, number _
5,904
6 999
7,658
8 405
Officers and teachers
112, 565
114, 237
114 433
111 676
Scholars
892, 872
1,052 794
1 040 594
916* 370
1 Statistics for 1916 and 1906 include those of the Free Baptists, a body which has united since 1916 with this
denomination; they also include colored churches in the Northern States, tabulated in 1926 and 1936 under
Negro Baptists. 2 A. minus sign (— ) denotes decrease.
NORTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
93
State tables. — Tables 3, 4, 5, and 6 present the statistics for the Northern Bap-
tist Convention by States. Table 3 gives for each State for 1936 the number
and membership of the churches classified according to their location in urban or
rural territory, membership classified by sex, and data for Sunday schools. Table
4 gives the number and membership of the churches for the four census years
1906 to 1936, together with the membership for 1936 classified as "under 13 years
of age" and ' 13 years of age and over." Table 5 shows the value of churches and
parsonages and the amount of debt on church edifices for 1936. Table 6 presents,
for 1936, the church expenditures, showing separately current expenses, improve-
ments, benevolences, etc. In order to avoid disclosing the financial statistics of
any individual church, separate presentation in tables 5 and 6 is limited to those
States in which three or more churches reported value and expenditures.
Ecclesiastical divisions. — Table 7 presents, for each association in the Northern
Baptist Convention, the more important statistical data for 1936 shown by States
in the preceding tables, including number of churches, membership, value and debt
on church edifices, expenditures, and Sunday schools.
TABLE 3. — NUMBEE AND MEMBEESHIP OF CHTTECHES IN URBAN AND RUEAL
TEEEITOEY, MEMBEESHIP BY SEX, AND SUNDAY SCHOOLS, BY STATES, 1936
GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION AND STATE
NUMB
ER OF CHUI
ICHES
NUMB!
3R OF MEMI
JERS
Total
Urban
Rural
Total
Urban
Rural
United States
6 284
2 625
3 659
1 329 044
984 822
364 722
NEW ENGLAND:
Maine
278
35
243
30, 637
12 035
18 602
New Hampshire
116
19
97
12 220
6 248
5 972
Vermont
73
11
62
9 997
4 089
5 908
Massachusetts
272
186
86
90 366
79 932
10 434
Rhode Island
89
43
46
18^ 749
14 132
4,617
Connecticut - -
126
73
53
26 521
21 294
5 227
MIDDLE ATLANTIC:
New York
694
299
395
181 918
142 251
39 667
New Jersey
223
144
79
55 986
45 493
10 493
Pennsylvania
578
314
264
143, 432
115, 302
28, 130
EAST NORTH CENTRAL:
Ohio
385
180
205
87, 260
67, 051
20, 209
Indiana
408
110
298
80, 498
43,029
37, 469
Illinois
397
213
184
97, 373
74, 408
22,965
Michigan _ ~
265
128
137
49, 275
38, 217
11, 058
"Wisconsin .
143
60
83
19, 627
12, 829
6,798
WEST NORTH CENTRAL:
Minnesota
190
74
116
32, 039
22, 856
9,183
Iowa
204
73
131
36, 900
24, 124
12, 776
Missouri
2t
2
561
561
North Dakota _- . _ _ >
63
7
56
6,198
1,536
4,662
South Dakota
65
14
51
8,521
3,621
4,900
Nebraska
111
37
74
19, 119
10, 926
8,193
Kansas
260
84
176
55,906
36, 695
19, 211
SOUTH ATLANTIC:
Delaware -
14
13
1
5,178
5,088
90
Maryland --
7
1
6
829
414
415
District of f olnfHbfa
24
24
17, 823
17,823
"West Virginia
565
59
506
77, 848
28, 742
49, 106
EAST SOUTH CENTRAL:
ICentucky
3
3
185
185
Alabama
1
1
80
80
WEST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Oklahoma
9
1
8
1,657
70
1,587
Texas
1
1
17
17
MOUNTAIN:
Montana
38
17
21
5,336
3,983
1,353
Idaho - -
46
14
32
6,612
3,728
2,884
"Wyoming
25
6
19
4,017
2,193
1,824
Colorado
99
43
56
20, 496
15,538
4,958
Arizona
37
21
16
6,451
5,124
1,327
Utah
8
7
1
1,376
1,329
47
Nevada
7
4
3
1,193
995
198
PACIFIC:
Washington
113
64
49
19, 726
15, 551
4,175
Oregon
79
40
39
16, 546
13, 219
3,327
California -
266
205
61
80, 571
73,896
6,675
94
CENSUS' OF RELIGIOUS BODIES, 1936
TABLE 3. — KUMBBE AND MBMBBKSHIP OF CHURCHES IN URBAN AND RURAL
TERRITORY, MEMBERSHIP BY SEX, AND SUNDAY SCHOOLS, BY STATES,
1936 — Continued
MEMBERS!
SIP BY SEX
SU1
TDAY SCHO(
3L8
GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION AND
STATE
Male
Female
Sex not
reported
Males
per 100
females
Churches
report-
ing
Officers
and
teachers
Scholars
United States,
493, 998
740, 293
94, 753
88 7
5,904
113, 565
892, 872
NEW ENGLAND:
Maine - - --
10, 366
19, 282
989
53 8
242
3,285
22, 633
New Hampshire
4,189
7,859
172
53.3
97
1,270
8 651
Vermont - -
3,912
5,502
583
71.1
65
810
4,792
Massachusetts - - --
33, 036
51, 019
6,311
64.8
264
6,822
67, 335
Rhode Island
6,479
10, 384
1,886
62 4
82
1,640
11 654
Connecticut -
10, 361
15, 487
673
66 9
121
2,106
13 855
MIDDLE ATLANTIC-
New York
66, 472
102, 345
13, 101
64 9
652
12, 622
89 314
New Jersey ~
20, 231
31, 578
4,177
64.1
213
5,246
38 702
Pennsylvania - ..
49, 366
71, 989
22, 077
68.6
553
12, 309
97, 388
EAST NORTH CENTRAL:
Ohio
34, 829
50 320
2 111
69 2
364
7,373
63 679
Indiana
30, 280
42, 228
7,990
71.7
390
6,650
54, 684
Illinois
36 168
53 476
7 729
67 6
390
8 094
69 746
Michigan.
18, 501
28,904
1,870
64.0
255
5,154
45', 099
Wisconsin
7,560
11, 284
783
67.0
135
2,074
13, 570
WEST NORTH CENTRAL-
Minnesota - -- -
11, 490
16 712
3,837
68.8
171
3 172
22 636
Iowa
14 257
20 838
1 805
68 4
190
3 337
23 404
Missouri .- -- --
318
243
130 9
2
52
568
North Dakota
2 407
3,452
339
69.7
53
749
6 116
South Dakota - --
3,519
4,916
86
71 6
62
876
7 059
Nebraska .. -
7 409
11, 248
462
65.9
106
1 899
12 477
Kansas - ._ -.
21,751
31, 356
2,799
69.4
253
4 788
36 742
SOUTH ATLANTIC:
Delaware
1,652
3,429
97
48.2
14
448
2 854
Maryland
270
437
122
61 8
g
122
1 111
District of Coliunbfa , . , . ,
6,258
8,055
3,510
77.7
24
1,240
14* 72S
West Virginia
31, 449
45, 492
907
69.1
505
6 439
54 219
EAST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Kentucky
83
102
81 4
3
22
109
Alabama . -„
45
35
(i)
1
14
66
WEST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Oklahoma ._. - _
676
981
68 9
9
102
738
Texas
5
12
(i)
1
g
41
MOUNTAIN:
Montana
2 167
3 169
68 4
32
479
3 637
Idaho
2 462
4 150
59 3
42
656
6 275
Wyoming
1 617
2 400
67 4
23
451
2 983
Colorado
7 866
11 895
735
66 1
90
1 781
14 263
Arizona
2 630
3 821
68 8
35
501
4 589
Utah
509
867
58 7
8
120
'947
Nevada
446
644
103
69 3
7
89
1 046
PACIFIC:
Washington -
7,685
11, 826
315
64 1
108
1 908
15 860
Oregon -~
6,234
9,758
554
63 9
75
1*521
11 127
California .. _
29, 143
42 798
8 630
68 1
261
6 336
59 181
i Eatio not shown where number of females is less than 100.
NORTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
95
TABLE 4. — NUMBER AND MEMBERSHIP OP CHURCHES, 1906 TO 1936, AND MEM-
BERSHIP BY AGE IN 1936, BY STATES
GEOGRAPHIC
DIVISION AND
STATE
NUMBER OF
CHURCHES
NUMBER OF MEMBERS
MEMBERSHIP BY AGE, 1936
1936
1926
19161
1906^
1936
1936
19161
19001
Under 13
years
CO Jg
3
*!
ft
o, I Percent
*K> 1 under 13*
United States...
NEW ENGLAND:
Maine
6,284
7,611
8,319
9,585
1,329,044
1,289,966
1,244,705
1,133,464
60,691
1414,460
153,893
278
116
73
272
89
126
694
223
578
385
408
397
265
143
190
204
2
347
129
87
321
100
130
857
266
690
476
468
460
355
170
211
297
455
181
119
357
105
152
942
270
753
473
494
472
400
208
239
357
436
170
126
352
102
143
1,028
287
780
553
520
1,062
512
242
268
412
121
72
91
229
457
16
14
20
7
619
14
30,637
12,220
9,997
90,366
18,749
26, 521
181,918
55,986
143,432
87,260
80,498
97,373
49,275
19, 627
32,039
36,900
561
6,198
8,521
19,119
55,906
5,178
829
17,823
32,031
13,820
9,626
89,635
18,830
22,873
161, 142
62, 539
124, 949
89,328
82,394
95,589
56,878
20, 096
30,897
45,775
35, 492
17, 335
10,010
88,016
19,285
26, 243
183,330
62, 769
154, 105
78,258
75,374
85, 649
49,835
20,425
28,145
44,939
32, 511
15, 931
9,951
75, 611
17,556
25, 616
171,857
54, 404
120, 628
70, 188
62, 134
126, 639
49, 350
20, 701
24, 102
40, 956
5,640
4,596
6,193
17, 386
35,801
2,694
1,494
10, 777
425
50, 149
776
2,165
1,840
1,200
2,804
337
1,382
751
258
293
2,651
305
1,008
6,775
1,874
6,785
4,828
4,584
4,148
3,529
620
1,101
1,827
27,944
9,869
8,569
79, 050
16, 554
24, 498
158, 752
45, 488
105, 386
76,331
66,336
82, 641
43,462
17,330
25, 687
32,095
37
5,727
7,374
17,365
48,055
4,596
659
12,959
1,942
2,093
1,135
8,665
1,890
1,015
16, 391
8,624
31, 261
6,101
9,578
10, 584
2,284
1,677
5,251
2,978
524
330
831
1,022
3,460
270
122
4,295
2.6
2.5
3.3
3.2
1.8
4.0
4.1
4.0
6 0
5.9
6.5
4.S
7.5
3.5
4.1
5.4
~2.~4
4.1
4.0
8.4
6.4
6.8
4.2
New Hampshire..
Vermont
Massachusetts _--
Rhode Island
Connecticut
MIDDLE ATLANTIC:
New York.
New Jersey
Pennsylvania
E. N. OENTEAL:
Ohio .. .
Indiana
Illinois. .
Michigan
Wisconsin
W. N. CENTRAL:
Minnesota
Iowa . _
Missouri
North Dakota....
South Dakota
Nebraska
63
65
111
260
14
7
24
79
93
130
359
10
5
23
90
102
188
400
15
6
17
5
637
7,289
9,284
19, 145
54,740
2,164
422
11,930
6,268
8,852
19,643
46,966
3,651
610
9,667
268
62, 547
141
316
732
4,391
312
48
569
Kansas
SOUTH ATLANTIC:
Delaware
Maryland. .
Dist. of Columbia.
Virginia
West Virginia.
Georgia
565
696
77,848
76,934
3,346
66,864
7,638
4.8
E. S. CENTRAL:
Kentucky
3
1
39
30
185
22
2
169
14
1.2
Alabama
1
21
47
80
80
W. S. CENTRAL:
8
Louisiana
31
Oklahoma
Texas
9
1
11
4
19
44
61
35
109
~""l9
26
45
19
87
57
1,657
17
5,336
6,612
4,017
20,496
1,683
75
1,271
4,073
5,682
1,841
16,528
73
1,584
17
4,274
5,983
2,734
18,185
4.4
630
2,029
2,331
838
12,917
2,331
1,034
987
316
12,440
11,099
22,718
MOUNTAIN:
Montana. ..
38
46
25
99
54
58
36
122
4,481
6,573
3,459
24,166
289
415
301
1,270
773
214
982
1,041
6.3
6.5
9.9
6,5
Idaho.
Wyoming
Colorado . ._
Arizona. _.
37
8
7
113
79
266
38
11
8
145
105
264
44
14
7
173
127
244
15
10
4
154
128
192
6,451
1,376
1,193
19, 726
16,546
80,571
5,922
1,121
674
21,499
18,945
63, 133
2,927
1,305
356
17,738
15,635
39,570
378
128
76
987
872
4,708
5,418
1,248
1,014
17,357
13, 593
59, 176
655
6.5
9.3
7.0
5.4
6.0
7.4
Utah
Nevada
103
1,382
2,081
16, 687
PACIFIC:
Washington
Oregon.
California
i Includes figures for the Free Baptist Church.
* Based on membership with age classification reported.
96
CENSUS1 OF RELIGIOUS BODIES, 1936
TABLE 5. — VALUE OF CHURCHES AND PARSONAGES AND AMOUNT OF CHURCH
DEBT BY STATES, 1936
[Separate presentation is limited to States having 3 or more churches reporting value of edifices]
GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION AND STATE
Total number of
churches
Number of church
edifices
VALUE OF CHURCH
EDIFICES
DEBT ON CHURCH
EDIFICES
VALUE OF
PARSONAGES
Churches
reporting
|
Churches
reporting
I
Churches
reporting
Amount
United States _ —
6,284
6,085
5,922
$187, 576, 483
1,694
$20, 063, 272
3,004
$11, 930, 664
NEW ENGLAND:
Maine
278
116
73
272
89
126
694
223
578
385
408
397
265
143
190
204
63
65
111
260
14
7
24
565
3
9
38
46
25
99
37
8
7
113
79
266
4
273
114
71
266
84
122
678
217
562
374
396
389
261
141
189
200
58
64
110
250
13
7
24
509
3
9
37
44
25
92
34
8
7
111
76
264
3
268
109
67
258
79
118
672
216
542
355
383
375
257
139
186
198
58
63
105
248
13
4
23
496
3
9
35
43
25
90
32
8
6
109
74
253
23
3, 298, 757
1, 425, 500
1, 104, 525
13, 971, 754
2, 753, 185
5, 154, 399
36, 474, 680
11, 188, 428
19, 134, 854
9, 937, 390
5, 724, 201
11, 220, 208
6, 280, 560
2, 350, 707
3. 754, 169
3, 082, 625
412, 550
878, 750
1, 729, 730
3, 626, 305
699, 500
69, 000
2. 877, 500
3, 871, 600
2,800
63, 050
529, 421
329, 100
284, 200
2,182, 525
529, 475
350, 000
86, 450
2, 073, 524
1, 326, 354
8, 669, 687
129, 000
41
7
10
85
21
35
190
100
216
91
74
114
96
59
50
44
10
17
30
70
7
2
16
43
162, 065
13, 598
45, 836
850, 637
175, 082
416, 151
6, 473, 630
1, 215, 671
2, 323, 684
1, 087, 511
530, 753
1, 657, 454
817, 111
264, 105
338, 267
225, 461
33, 890
53, 925
130, 464
415, 709
35, 855
28, 865
413, 209
206, 088
155
83
54
125
38
77
437
156
277
135
102
182
154
88
94
127
34
41
73
132
7
1
5
80
471, 850
265, 050
202, 000
683, 750
210, 200
439, 712
1, 948, 796
974, 310
1, 333, 014
522, 050
302, 000
776, 610
547, 416
356, 300
308, 400
434, 550
99, 050
134, 550
193, 200
332, 440
43, 500
53, 000
341, 983
New Hampshire - _
Vermont. _ _
Massachusetts _..
Rhode Island
Connecticut
MIDDLE ATLANTIC:
New York
New Jersey
Pennsylvania, ......
EAST NOETH CENTRAL:
Ohio _ -____.
Indiana _. __
Illinois
Michigan
"Wisconsin -
WEST NORTH CENTRAL:
Minnesota ~-
lowa
North Dakota -
South Dakota
Nebraska __
Kansas
SOUTH ATLANTIC:
Delaware
Maryland
District of Columbia
West Virginia ,
EAST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Kentucky
WEST SOUTH CENTRAL-
Olrlq.Ti(mia
2
9
11
11
30
10
4
2
43
20
123
1
7,600
27, 050
13, 000
27, 052
82, 643
185, 414
16, 515
1,700
263, 578
95, 122
1, 393, 577
35, 000
5
18
31
10
45
18
2
5
58
35
118
2
11, 200
54,350
64, 900
25, 300
121, 175
39, 300
0)
16, 000
144, 783
92, 200
369, 125
18, 600
MOUNTAIN:
Montana
Idaho ._ __ __
Wyoming
Colorado
Arizona-
Utah..- _
Nevada
PACIFIC:
Washington
Oregon -
California
Other States
1 Amount included in figures for "Other States," to avoid disclosing the statistics of any individual
church.
* Includes: Missouri, 1; Alabama, 1; and Texas, 1.
NORTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
97
TABLE 6. — CHURCH EXPENDITURES BY STATES, 1936
[Separate presentation Is limited to States having 3 or more churches reporting]
GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION AND STATE
Total
number
of
churches
EXPENDITURES
Churches
report-
ing
Total
amount
Pastors'
salaries
All other
salaries
Repairs
and im-
prove-
ments
United States 8,284
NEW ENGLAND:
Maine _ 278
New Hampshire 116
Vermont.- 73
Massachusetts _ 272
Rhode Island 89
Connecticut 126
MIDDLE ATLANTIC.
New York 694
New Jersey. 223
Pennsylvania __ ___ 578
EAST NORTH CENTRAL:
Ohio 385
Indiana. _ 408
Illinois 397
Michigan 265
Wisconsin 143
WEST NORTH CENTRAL:
Minnesota 190
Iowa _ 204
North Dakota 63
South Dakota 65
Nebraska 111
Kansas 260
SOUTH ATLANTIC:
Delaware 14
Maryland _ 7
District of Columbia 24
West Virginia 565
EAST SOUTH CENTRAL-
Kentucky 3
WEST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Oklahoma 9
MOUNTAIN:
Montana 38
Idaho-- 46
Wyoming 25
Colorado 99
Arizona 37
Utah 8
Nevada.. _ 7
PACIFIC-
Washington.... 113
Oregon „ 79
California. _ 266
Other States 4
,168
260
107
72
272
87
126
684
223
379
404
394
263
142
186
196
60
65
109
257
13
7
24
546
113
78
265
14
$19, 577, 463
452, 741
212, 479
135, 350
1, 646, 584
376, 450
571, 890
3, 038, 809
1, 136, 515
2, 023, 780
1, 259, 910
680, 009
1, 449, 531
809,457
331, 098
556, 208
384, 485
82, 879
108, 010
214, 762
546, 203
51, 581
13, 624
343, 704
509, 405
753
10, 142
80, 786
86, 340
45, 070
245,295
115, 747
20,545
18, 777
283, 051
225, 049
1, 500, 356
10, 088
$6, 400, 783
196, 635
99, 449
63, 266
478, 467
123, 145
164, 820
904, 881
364, 863
652, 127
378, 903
271, 351
459, 202
275, 152
136, 163
177, 976
159, 686
34, 743
47, 251
90, 631
190, 668
16, 716
6,134
59, 468
202, 101
403
5,301
35, 981
35,922
21, 220
33, 719
8,478
10,589
113,409
91, 227
401, 037
3,473
$2, 266, 558
27, 273
18, 274
11, 109
230, 593
50, 212
511, 327
145, 835
226, 372
132, 400
61, 486
169, 798
90, 226
24, 460
59, 525
29, 630
3,620
5,682
17, 666
44, 649
722
48, 591
40, 456
56
227
5,840
5,186
1,944
20, 329
5,810
1,820
950
19, 363
16, 305
165, 287
785
81,478,671
52, 798
17, 923
9,207
113, 932
37, 699
50, 900
179, 757
80,215
179, 587
89, 730
69, 387
120, 601
62, 271
33, 530
38, 457
35,448
3,440
4,796
16,139
38, 375
2,142
469
18, 309
50, 268
198
601
12, 016
5,058
3,277
11, 847
6,664
1,499
1,110
36, 116
23, 019
71, 692
194
1 Includes: Missouri, 2; Alabama, 1; and Texas, 1.
98
CENSUS OF EE'LIGIOTJS BODIES, 1936
TABLE 6. — CHUBCH EXPENDITURES BY STATES, 1936 — Continued
[Separate presentation is limited to States having 3 or more churches reporting]
GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION
AND STATE
EXPENDITURES— continued
Payment
on church
debt,
excluding
interest
Other
current
expenses,
including
interest
Local
relief and
charity
Home
missions
Foreign
missions
To general
head-
quarters
All other
purposes
United States.. _
81, 364, 921
S4, 347, 318
$436, 207
$281, 492
2,497
1,004
35
22, 116
1,032
2,745
48, 241
19, 859
21, 429
19, 249
6,283
26,800
19, 270
4,177
10, 929
2,148
2,018
1,141
1,264
9,175
702
41
6,413
3,686
$321, 153
$2,026,258
$854, 102
NEW ENGLAND:
Maine
15.292
2,343
3,167
71, 691
6,258
47, 116
159, 145
71, 574
158,277
149, 163
44,782
102, 672
75, 167
18, 200
33, 424
23, 540
15, 054
15, 909
10, 247
41, 480
10, 115
530
43, 658
51, 846
93, 353
41,410
24, 524
441, 314
93, 362
128, 537
700, 225
245, 551
445, 807
302, 538
132, 004
338, 164
159, 419
65, 136
138, 953
74,008
12, 355
16, 256
43, 767
111, 020
10, 005
3,687
70,441
82, 748
28
1,328
13, 394
15, 727
7,429
49, 531
39,866
4,571
2,730
56,539
42, 130
336, 880
2,581
9,025
4,339
1,747
44,147
10, 215
10, 523
81, 910
24, 746
48, 952
18, 938
11, 248
35, 757
17, 816
5,138
13, 479
6,008
2,489
1,148
2,879
9,110
588
131
20, 064
8,761
6,148
1,570
332
33, 620
1,418
3,509
68, 385
27,889
28, 024
16, 211
9,698
26, 570
26, 625
3,329
10, 907
6,375
1,235
921
1,932
3,762
538
20
3,623
2,935
39, 335
22, 794
17, 131
161,002
48,246
83, 982
267,427
124, 397
199,414
125, 250
55,941
135, 481
63, 713
30,930
56,400
36, 782
6,218
12, 003
22, 502
71, 695
3,886
822
45, 539
51, 226
3
8
6,418
11, 549
2,712
33, 021
13,082
1,334
1,579
26, 559
27, 253
220, 547
77
10, 385
3,373
4,832
49, 702
4,863
13, 076
117, 511
31, 586
63, 791
27, 528
17, 829
34, 486
19, 798
10, 035
16, 158
10, 860
1,707
2,903
7,735
26, 269
821
1,068
27, 598
15, 378
65
517
721
1,225
1,549
8,175
3,517
720
278
5,895
6,692
104, 990
466
New Hampshire., _„
Vermont __ „
Massachusetts ..
Rhode Island
Connecticut
MIDDLE ATLANTIC:
New York
New Jersey
Pennsylvania
EAST NORTH CENTRAL:
Ohio
Indiana.
Illinois
Michigan
Wisconsin
WEST NORTH CENTRAL:
Minnesota
Iowa
North Dakota
South Dakota
Nebraska _ _
Kansas
SOUTH ATLANTIC:
Delaware ..
Maryland
District of Columbia
West Virginia
EAST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Kentucky
WEST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Oklahoma _» .
1,000
3,754
9,685
4,992
21, 835
8,373
1,115
800
14, 008
8,941
118, 768
1,000
246
1,183
1,500
550
4,656
2,999
154
741
5,799
4,123
25,083
15
455
838
132
635
3,922
1,543
359
459
641
356
762
5,753
174
495
MOUNTAIN:
Montana - -. ---
Idaho
Wyoming ..
Colorado"
Arizona
Utah
Nevada ...
PACIFIC:
Washington
2,114
3,162
35, 300
778
3,249
2,197
20,772
719
Oregon . .
California
Other States
NORTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
99
TABLE 1. — NUMBER AND MEMBERSHIP OF CHURCHES, VALUE AND DEBT ON:
CHURCH EDIFICES, EXPENDITURES, AND SUNDAY SCHOOLS, BY ASSOCIATIONS, 1936
ASSOCIATION
Total number of
churches
1
"3 2
fe^
JD
£
VALUE OP
CHURCH EDIFICES
DEBT ON
CHUECH EDIFICES
EXPENDITURES
SUNDAY
SCHOOLS
Churches
reporting
Amount
Churches
reporting
Amount
Churches
reporting
Amount
Churches
reporting
I
CQ
Total.
6,284
1, 329, 044
80
6,451
2,105
832
1,186
280
839
2,104
„ 1, 413
6,412
6.092
2,638
847
516
6,469
5,158
621
1,800
21, 591
3,311
2,467
5,673
7.777
440
477
16
437
709
1,776
116
8,171
701
7/58
5,386
619
1,320
1,545
4,310
6,892
7,621
3,854
2,192
107
5,178
17,823
1,562
956
3,042
569
510
5,922
$167, 576, 463
I,fl94
$20,063,272
—
6,168
$19, 577, 463
5,904
892, 872
Alabama:
Swedish
1
37
8
6
12
3
6
11
9
22
27
16
3
3
14
13
3
8
49
9
11
17
15
1
8
1
4
6
8
3
22
8
17
8
9
15
20
21
34
18
16
2
14
24
10
8
17
8
4
1
32
7
6
12
3
6
10
9
19
26
15
3
3
14
11
3
8
45
9
11
17
15
1
7
1
4
5
8
2
20
5
7
17
6
8
12
19
IS
34
18
15
13
23
8
17
8
3
(l)
529, 475
145, 000
59,500
155, 050
29, 000
149, 500
265, 750
160, 000
746, 180
369, 815
197, 150
142, 700
24, 695
1, 017, 200
277, 000
45, 380
206, 569
2, 855, 429
254, 000
324, 470
523, 399
714, 900
0)
29,400
23,500
115, 000
85, 800
0
1, 404, 500
65, 000
26, 900
350, 725
23, 700
48,600
- 153, 954
847, 000
2, 025, 600
1, 319, 445
506,200
272,200
CO
699, 500
2, 877, 500
65,000
46,200
147, 100
30,800
43,000
1
37
8
6
12
3
6
11
9
22
27
16
2
3
14
13
3
8
49
9
11
17
15
1
8
1
4
6
8
3
21
4
8
16
8
9
15
20
21
34
18
16
2
13
24
0)
115, 747
27, 565
14, 727
18, 136
5,952
17, 345
34, 595
28, 909
137, 491
89, 511
60, 690
(i)
14, 653
133, 613
81, 866
9,470
37, 742
482, 193
52, 146
44,163
84, 033
105, 604
(i)
3,570
0)
5,210
10, 908
13, 300
649
123, 337
7,945
3,723
59, 585
4,865
12, 108
21, 589
86, 367
187, 544
142, 179
93, 323
37, 220
0)
51, 581
343, 704
25,222
16, 612
32,288
6,998
1
35
8
6
11
3
6
10
9
22
27
16
3
3
14
13
3
8
48
9
11
16
14
1
8
1
4
6
8
3
19
4
7
15
6
9
14
18
20
34
17
16
e
14
24
9
•
1'
l
66
4,589
1,420
614
527
326
701
1,729
1,036
5,308
4887
2,261
587
542
4,880
4,210
470
1,371
14,949
2,689
1,885
3,394
5,039
356
411
35
424
670
1,006
150
6,044
451
420
3,062
511
1,079
933
2,044
3,518
3,801
2,259
1,268
32
2,854
14, 722
1,438
680
2,208
462
527
Arizona:
Arizona
10
1
3
5
185, 414
270
2,554
19, 275
California, Northern:
Central
Clear Lake
General
Nevada-Sierra
Pacific
4
3
3
14
10
4
1
24, 380
57,805
2,700
125, 932
35, 699
10, 589
8,795
Pact&TYjp-Tito
Sacramento River..
San Francisco Bay,
San Joaquin.
San Jose..
Swedish _
Unassociated
California. Southern:
Foot HilL
6
7
2
4
26
6
6
8
9
1
5
196, 500
126, 928
11, 900
34, 900
568, 595
15, 485
26, 145
45, 655
79, 090
0)
1,585
Harbor
Imperial Valley
Kern River
Los Angeles
Santa Ana Valley, .
Santa Barbara
Southwestern
University
Unassociated
Colorado:
Eastern _
Gunmson Valley- —
M!cxic£in
Northeastern
1
2
1,200
1,475
Northern. .
Northwestern
Rocky Mountain...
San Luis Valley
Southeastern— _
9
31, 948
2
7
1
3
2
8
10
7
4
3
1
7
16
fl
1
n
]
1
2,150
42,155
200
1,935
13, 400
124, 500
ISO, 000
48, 201
17, 750
29.800
0)
35, 855
413,209
3,875
250
8.400
400
75
Southern
Southwestern _
Western
Connecticut:
Ashford--
Fairfield-
Hartford
Nw TRTftv^Ti
New London
Stonington Union..
Swedish.
Delaware:
Delaware
District of Columbia:
Columbia
Idaho:
Central
10
Y,
t
4
East
First
North Idaho
Spokane (Wash.)
5,851
i Amount included in figures on the line designated "Combinations," to avoid disclosing the statistics
of any individual church.
275318—41 8
100
CENSUS OF RELIGIOUS BODIEiS, 1936
TABLE 7. — NUMBER AND MEMBERSHIP OP CHURCHES, VALUE AND DEBT ON
CHUECH EDIFICES, EXPENDITURES, AND SUNDAY SCHOOLS, BY ASSOCIATIONS,
1 936 — Continued
ASSOCIATION
Total number of
churches
f
fc
VALUE OF
CHURCH EDIFICES
DEBT ON
CHURCH EDIFICES
EXPENDITURES
SUNDAY
SCHOOLS
Churches
reporting
Amount
Churches !
reporting
Amount
{Churches
reporting
Amount
Churches
reporting
Scholars
Illinois:
Alton
24
12
22
12
26
84
7,933
3,063
4,691
1,659
4; 786
30, 500
1,840
2,504
806
2,499
5,060
2,439
2,686
4,382
1,882
4,808
9,413
5,022
812
588
3,293
2,217
1,702
2,272
2,082
3,819
2,528
1,316
651
2,641
3, 662
2,156
2,361
3,124
11, 418
1,540
3,493
1,836
1,887
3,257
1,992
2,064
968
599
768
2,117
1,578
479
4,143
1.629
37
1,417
2,997
2,380
75
3,651
21
11
22
11
25
75
10
11
5
15
18
14
17
17
12
28
31
22
6
4
15
10
10
6
17
18
9
5
7
10
15
18
15
13
28
8
17
12
12
14
14
13
7
6
8
8
9
3
10
10
1
12
15
1
19
1 9
$445, 500
518, 500
3S9, 200
48,487
523, 000
5, 557, 371
216, 000
146, 400
26, 000
282, 100
491,450
155, 000
175, 600
477, 450
125,800
187,350
744, 500
527, 700
139, 500
42, 300
141, 950
121, 100
116, 700
234,834
27, 925
191, 250
145,600
87, 500
25, 700
149, 500
383,400
62, 550
60,450
176, 700
1, 398, 500
156, 900
218, 850
92, 500
81, 700
357, 200
52, 700
84, 800
33, 000
8,450
46, 600
288, 500
66, 700
4,000
527, 500
52, 100
113, 550
117, 000
85,492
(l)
327.400
90, 100
8
4
2
$49, 029
106, 000
12, 075
24
12
22
12
26
83
10
12
5
15
18
14
17
18
13
29
30
24
6
4
16
12
11
6
17
18
9
5
7
10
15
20
16
14
$91, 205
41, 433
45, 513
6,844
49, 108
655, 240
41, 761
12, 819
3,811
37, 100
65, 741
16, 614
34, 345
66, 707
12, 658
32, 585
100, 083
118, 541
8,854
8,569
23, 938
19, 221
15, 102
31, 339
6,470
29, 041
14, 877
13, 035
* 5,290
19, 481
49, 232
11, 787
8,519
27, 151
134, 913
13, 723
31, 998
18, 212
8,230
26, 030
7,945
12, 798
6,144
1,127
6,438
28, 751
9,169
2,919
39, 845
8,352
C1)
10,350
24, 944
24
12
21
12
26
82
10
12
5
13
18
14
17
18
13
29
31
23
6
4
16
10
11
6
17
18
9
5
7
10
15
20
15
13
32
8
16
13
11
16
13
12
7
6
8
8
£
3
11
9
1
6
13
15
1
19
8
5,724
2,449
2,959
946
3,243
19, 743
1,547
1,276
525
1,885
3,821
1,897
2,378
2,610
1,181
3,355
8,204
4,688
869
446
2,337
1, 855
1,623
1, 826
1,248
2,338
1,490
850
418
1,597
2,381
1,356
1,082
2,348
9,736
826
2,372
1, 357
1,234
2,255
813
1,289
624
389
603
1,463
821
218
2,610
1,011
40
735
2 239
1,200
100
2,209
542
Aurora,--
Bloomington
Champai gn-Urb ana
Chicago -
5
53
g
1
42, 640
I. 212, 850
11, 870
4,000
German
10
12
r
15
IS
14
17
18
13
30
31
24
e
16
12
11
6
18
18
9
10
15
20
16
14
Greene-Jersey - - -
Ottawa
1
1
1
<3
4
3,300
6,600
6,000
11,260
23, 050
Peoria
Quincy
Rock Island
Rock River
Salem
Southern
3
7
15
2
1
5
4
2
4
24, 549
74, 588
46, 743
5,900
17, 000
20, 700
34,475
15, 250
16, 351
Springfield
Swedish
Wabash Valley
Unassociated
Indiana:
Bedford
Bethel-
Brownstown
Calumet --
C off 6e Creek
Curry's Prairie
4
1
4
3
r
6
16, 885
600
27,950
8,800
1,500
57,985
Decatur County
East Central
Evansville
Flat Rock
Fort "Wayne
Frsedom.
Friendship
1
1
10
o
4
1
58
3,000
91, 919
12,000
22,400
130
Harmony
Indianapolis
32
8
17
13
12
16
16
1J
8
8
1(
11
32
8
17
13
12
16
15
IS
8
9
10
4
11
10
1
6
13
15
19
8
Johnson County —
Judson,.
Laughery
Linton
Logansport ..
4
7,185
Lonff Run
Madison _
1
600
IVIount Zion
Noble-Lagrange
Northern
r
c
1
1
3
11, 272
9,700
800
170
157, 673
Orleans
Perry County
SaJa/monie
Sand Creek
10
Swedish
1
0)
Tlppecanoe
13
IS
Union
<
<
2,800
9,700
White Lick
10, 986
0)
42, 919
7,005
Unassociated
Iowa-
Cedar Valley
2(
43,447
Creston__
1,036
i Amount included in figures on the line designated "Combinations," to avoid disclosing the statistics
of any individual church.
NORTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
101
TABLE 7,— -NUMBER AND MEMBERSHIP OF CHURCHES, VALUE AND DEBT ON
CHURCH EDIFICES, EXPENDITURES, AND SUNDAY SCHOOLS, BY ASSOCIATIONS.
1936 — Continued
ASSOCIATION
*0
Is
I!
a*
§
Number of mem-
bers
VALUE OF
CHURCH EDIFICES
DEBT ON
CHURCH EDIFICES
EXPENDITURES
SUNDAY
SCHOOLS
Churches
reporting
Amount
Churches
reporting
Amount
Churches
reporting
Amount
Churches
reporting
Scholars
Iowa— C ontinued .
Danish
7
2
7
7
8
10
16
8
16
9
22
12
17
16
9
7
2
25
5
10
11
11
2
6
18
18
27
13
10
9
5
5
31
12
3
5
25
8
2
1
2
12
12
18
14
15
26
26
12
14
21
14
27
9
17
939
181
320
476
1,678
2,102
5,382
1,060
2,756
1,487
5,793
2,022
1,896
3,943
1,315
769
94
4,656
516
2,700
• 1,245
907
189
677
4,340
3,384
8,681
2,219
791
1,574
724
507
7,758
1,311
398
435
10, 946
1,240
745
164
21
2,332
1,047
3,800
680
895
1,126
1,611
1,866
3,054
1,746
1,167
3,129
1,258
2,073
7
2
5
7
7
10
15
8
16
9
21
12
17
16
9
7
2
23
5
10
11
9
2
6
18
16
26
12
10
9
4
4
30
11
3
5
24
8
2
1
2
9
11
18
12
14
24
25
12
14
21
14
26
9
17
$62, 000
0)
26,800
15, 300
190, 250
138, 845
509, 800
127, 000
220, 000
77, 100
415,300
278, 500
81, 230
400, 500
62, 500
49, 300
0)
299, 465
39, 500
123, 100
61, 000
21, 450
23, 600
477, 000
181, 600
493, 100
119, 650
32, 400
120, 700
25, 765
18, 500
482, 355
65, 650
32, 000
40, 500
804, 525
83, 445
«
C1)
0)
425, 500
114, 807
667, 500
41, 100
74,000
112, 850
115, 500
83, 500
170,000
133, 050
127, 500
253,650
98, 000
124, 400
2
$4, 790
6
2
6
5
8
10
16
8
16
9
22
12
16
16
9
6
2
25
5
10
11
11
2
6
16
18
27
12
10
9
5
5
31
12
3
5
25
8
2
1
2
12
12
18
14
14
22
21
12
13
20
14
27
9
14
$12, 819
(»)
1, ,'585
1,438
28, 932
20, 754
54, 838
10,016
24, 773
8,754
59, 214
23, 751
10,305
43, 491
24, 839
7, 483
C1)
46, 208
4,297
33, 894
13, 170
4,784
0)
3,487
51, 793
24, 430
81, 897
9,592
4,904
20, 638
5,655
5,041
50, 633
34, 410
5,019
4,930
119, 859
11, 002
0)
8
43, 787
19, 421
59, 242
8,774
13, 517
16, 613
27, 028
25, 481
46, 020
19, 365
23,695
44,107
13, 270
20,752
5
r
5
8
10
16
8
14
8
22
12
16
15
9
4
2
24
5
10
11
11
2
5
17
17
27
13
9
8
5
5
31
11
3
5
25
8
2
1
2
11
10
18
12
13
21
21
11
13
17
14
26
8
12
643
80
178
223
1,632
1,477
2,739
721
1,600
1,002
3,236
1, 601
1, 300
2,271
1,326
4IJ4
WO
3,302
463
1,984
914
613
160
469
2,799
2,480
4,418
1,154
548
1,107
458
293
4,927
1,285
375
400
7,632
763
313
64
45
1,433
733
2,926
516
832
1,148
1,297
1,707
1,981
1,238
1,177
2,283
521
1,413
East Grand River. .
English River
Fox River
German
2
3
6
1
4
2
9
4
1
5
4,600
5,150
16, 715
4,375
51, 439
3,200
28, 490
14, 000
1,300
46, 555
Iowa
Mideastern..
Northeastern
Northern
Oskaloosa _
Roger Williams
Sioux Valley
Southern ___
Southwestern
Swedish
Washington
1
1,400
TJnassociated..
Kansas:
Arkansas Valley
Blue Valley
8
1
1
56, 228
200
1,250
Central _..
Chikaskia
Fort Scott
1
1
1
6
1
13
3
3
2
1
770
0)
40
64, 200
1,500
45, 483
6,290
4,400
9,000
2,650
German
Jewell
Kansas River
Miami.
Missouri River
Northeast
Northwest
Republican Valley.
Solomon Valley
South Central ..
Southeast
10
4
42, 435
1,150
Southwest—
Swedish
Upper Solomon
Walnut Valley
2
10
2
4,988
146, 275
26, 350
West Central
TJnassociated
Kentucky
Ohio Valley
Portsmouth
Maine:
Androscoggin _
3
2
4
2
2
2
6,850
2,150
32, 110
706
981
8,906
Bowdomham— .
Cumberland
Damariscotta -
Farmington
Hancock
I/incoln
North Aroostook. . _
North Kennebec
North York
4
4
1
3
3
2
3
4,118
6,086
3,862
27, 573
14, 800
7,650
11, 218
Oxford
Penobscot
Piscataquis
South Aroostook
i Amount included in figures on the line designated "Combinations," to avoid disclosing the statistics
of any Individual church.
102
CENSUS1 OF RELIGIOUS BODIES, 1936
TABLE 7. — NUMBER AND MEMBEBSHIP OF CHURCHES, VALUE AND DEBT ON
CHURCH EDIFICES, EXPEND ITUBBS, AND SUNDAY SCHOOLS, BY ASSOCIATIONS,
1 9 36 — Continued
ASSOCIATION
Total number of
churches ||
S
<o
a
*i
fe*
rQ
£
VALUE OF
CHURCH EDIFICES
DEBT ON
CHURCH EDIFICES
EXPENDITURES
SUNDAY
SCHOOLS
1«
2|
II
fl
p
O
a
-<
S*0
-a 2
O+3
•~1 t-t
II
o
a
<i
9 M>
•fl.S
O-p
*•" fe
51
o *-*
+3
fl
3
o
a
<i
03 W3
•=» B
O±s
** fe
11
e
JS
"o
•g
CQ
Maine— Continued.
South Kennebec_-_
South York
13
12
16
6
1
10
11
26
19
20
23
13
8
17
15
2
20
9
19
13
20
26
1
13
4
40
13
4
11
8
16
13
17
15
12
10
5
6
16
16
9
17
15
5
11
9
f
14
17
14
8
83
3(
2
1,828
1,646
1,379
804
25
512
3,414
13,877
12, 423
7,669
9,627
2,824
1,311
7,043
3,759
129
6,036
1,595
5,978
3,281
5,669
5,083
136
709
677
13, 105
3,003
839
1,885
966
1,121
1,055
3,475
3,076
1,807
1,492
945
388
3,243
2,919
798
1,812
4,595
1,365
1,113
920
323
1,907
1,733
2,578
815
9,656
12-9i§
13
12
16
3
1
8
11
24
17
20
23
13
7
17
14
2
20
8
17
13
18
26
$437, 200
204, 500
111, 700
68,500
(0
89, 500
595, 850
1,955,450
1, 849, 670
1, 153, 135
2, 227, 700
283, 235
128, 500
665, 975
535, 200
0)
1,011,084
182, 000
622, 170
497, 510
1, 053, 050
1, 108, 225
2
2
2
2
$210
31, 650
3,195
28,865
13
11
14
6
1
10
11
26
19
20
23
13
8
17
15
2
20
9
19
13
20
26
1
12
4
40
13
4
11
8
15
13
17
15
12
10
5
6
16
16
9
17
15
5
10
9
2
14
17
14
8C
32
$24, 393
30, 872
16, 404
13, 594
0)
26, 265
51, 093
239, 576
231, 768
157, 648
215, 108
37, 225
23, 596
104, 219
53, 065
0)
96, 550
37, 024
112, 213
49, 818
105, 944
100, 440
0)
7,729
10, 908
259, 868
65,036
12,281
41, 151
14, 383
13, 631
18, 432
43, 012
39, 228
25, 133
20f 829
20, 951
4,562
50, 627
39, 553
10,463
32, 738
69, 723
9,219
20, 111
14, 905
0)
25, 187
24, 344
42, 639
12,304
187, 441
225, 236
0
12
9
14
6
1,264
1,209
955
1,111
Washington
Maryland:
Columbia
Monongahela (Pa.)-
Massachusetts:
9
10
24
19
19
23
13
8
17
15
2
20
8
19
13
19
25
1
11
4
39
13
4
11
8
14
13
17
15
11
10
5
5
16
16
9
16
13
5
9
8
2
12
15
14
7
73
30
462
1,826
9,197
7,453
5,243
6,028
1,471
849
3,634
2,654
155
4,438
1,083
4,713
1,923
3,289
2,849
68
643
737
14, 692
2,715
807
994
668
1,033
1,247
2,873
2,672
1,370
1,265
781
417
2,124
2,470
803
1,921
3,981
886
858
709
230
1,359
1,306
1,904
537
8,291
7,393
49
Berkshire ..
2
12
8
10
7
63, 000
244, 404
58, 510
57,012
79, 545
34, 125
Boston Eatet
Boston North
Boston South
Boston West
Framine^ham
Franklin-Millers
River
Memmac River —
Old Colony
7
6
1
8
2
4
2
8
3
38, 790
23, 850
0)
28, 677
14, 500
138, 800
13, 000
43,674
10, 750
Providence (B. I.)--
Salem __
Swedish
Taunton
Wachusett
Westfield
"Worcester
Michigan:
Alpena
13
4
39
12
4
11
8
16
12
17
15
12
8
5
6
15
16
9
17
15
3
11
9
2
14
17
14
8
81
28
55, 800
28,000
1, 049, 910
387, 800
128, 000
1, 120, 450
76, 700
79, 350
62, 200
290, 900
236, 500
169, 500
63, 500
89,500
30, 000
313, 000
409, 500
59,400
206,400
447, 650
76, 500
72, 200
69,800
0)
122, 500
143, 100
318,000
67,400
720, 110
2, 207, 559
(9
2
460
Detroit
34
4
3
4
4
4
5
3
3
1
3
c
K
4
2
6
3
2
2
531, 186
21, 448
8,200
86, 289
2,250
1,650
4,840
12, 000
6,094
10, 840
2,186
5,240
1,775
9,550
72, 000
750
9,345
23,322
7,686
650
Flint River
German
Grand River
Grand Traverse
Hillsdale
Huron
Jackson. .
Kalamazoo River...
Kent-Muskegon
X/enawee. ....
Marquette
Osceola — .
Saginaw Valley
Shiawassee --
St. Joseph River
Valley..
Swedish
Wayne
Unassociated . -
Minnesota:
Dane-Norwegian. >.
Lake Superior
Minnesota Valley-.
Northwestern
Southeastern
1
2
3
1
3
26
12
W800
17,500
5,763
3,000
35, 133
273, 621
Southwestern
Swedish .
Twin City
Unassoclatecl
* Amount Included in figures on the line designated "Combinations," to avoid disclosing the statistics
of any Individual church.
NORTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
103
TABLE T. — NUMBER AND MEMBERSHIP OF CHURCHES, VALUE AND DEBT ON
CHURCH EDIFICES, EXPENDITURES, AND SUNDAY SCHOOLS, BY ASSOCIATIONS,
1936 — Continued
ASSOCIATION
Total number of
churches
i
a
o£
is
1
VALUE OF
CHURCH EDIFICES
DEBT ON
CHURCH EDIFICES
EXPENDITURES
SUNDAY
SCHOOLS
Churches
reporting
Amount
Churches
reporting
Amount
Churches
reporting
Amount
Churches
reporting
Scholars
Missouri:
Swedish
1
4
4
3
2
10
1
6
8
9
4
8
13
6
1
8
6
6
18
17
4
11
11
8
10
13
12
14
16
15
6
11
524
588
223
384
121
1,739
26
668
1,587
2,587
776
1,450
1,994
650
100
892
447
1,063
5,311
2,157
300
1,392
1,193
937
840
622
2,862
907
1,315
1, 986
1,879
564
308
10, 912
2,819
9,822
3,453
4,365
1
4
3
3
2
10
1
5
7
9
4
8
13
6
1
8
5
5
16
16
4
10
6
10
7
10
13
11
14
15
13
6
10
45
14
30
18
20
0)
$27, 500
24, 000
14, 800
0)
207, 121
101, 000
127, 000
211, 200
37,500
72,500
158, 200
80,100
73,400
18,500
39, 499
733,450
200, 790
23,000
61, 591
86, 450
163, 200
124, 000
93,850
264, 850
68,700
126, 000
279, 800
193, 300
75,500
36, 300
1, 920, 928
615, 000
2, 647, 000
755, 000
571, 650
1, 625, 600
1
3
(')
$5, 550
1
4
4
3
2
10
1
4
7
9
4
8
13
6
1
8
5
6
18
17
4
10
7
10
7
8
13
11
14
15
15
6
8
45
14
31
20
20
17
27
19
29
C1)
$9, 340
4,712
3,671
C1)
26, 784
su
21, 737
33,449
4,941
12,902
17, 436
8,776
('U
2,892
10,837
76, 161
21, 307
5,446
11, 270
18, 777
21, 821
17, 478
9,794
35, 117
15, 644
23,490
40, 197
33, 729
6,623
8,586
208, 658
53, 551
227, 815
70,923
74,844
152, 456
181, 608
79, 021
86, 568
0)
11, 857
30, Oil
60, 841
212,829
27,76
41,10
1
2
3
3
1
10
1
5
7
9
4
8
13
6
1
7
6
6
18
15
4
9
7
10
6
7
12
10
10
15
14
6
7
44
14
30
18
19
16
26
18
2'
453
381
208
262
150
995
100
577
964
1,090
428
730
1,528
516
35
612
303
755
3,729
1,448
335
968
1,046
723
658
431
1,853
801
885
1,280
1,318
389
313
11, 154
1,657
6,065
1,677
2,514
3,117
4,616
3,434
4,440
28
688
992
20
3,654
7,721
1,478
1,324
Montana:
Bitter Root
Crow Indian
Flathead
German
Rocky Mountain-
Swedish
1
4,000
Teton
3
2
5
13, 650
3,850
19, 250
Yellowstone
Nebraska:
Capitol
Ouster
I^irst Nebraska
Grand Island .. .
2
2
3
1
1
1
2
5
5
1
1,002
8,500
4,850
0)
1,864
290
800
62, 150
19, 458
900
3,400
1,700
Nebraska Confer-
ence, Swedish
New Era __ -.
Northeastern
North Platte
Northwestern „
Omaha
Southern Union
Southwestern Ger-
man
York,. .. _
Nevada:
Nevada-Sierra
New Hampshire:
Belknap
Dublin
1
1,200
Meredith-Sand-
wich
Milford
1
250
New Durham
Newport
1
<•
]
1
3,795
2,075
5,078
1,200
Portsmouth
Salisbury
White Mountains --
"Wolfeboro
New Jersey:
Camden
45
14
23
8
19
12
5
9
13
5
6
258, 192
48,878
285, 700
101, 675
11, 123
209,140
130, 113
125, 100
45, 750
Central
East .
31
20
20
Hudson
Monmouth
Morris and Essex-
North
27
19
29
6
12
6,764
4 973
5,696
30
1,011
2,101
25
18
29
1
6
12
1
22
44
"8
1, 661, 200
718, 500
675, 050
O
105, 500
288, 250
0)
574, 200
1, 960, 550
227, 525
354, 800
Trenton
West
TTnassociated
(
12
22
44
1
New York:
Allegany
725
27,321
i:
2
4
1
Black River
2
Bradford (Pa.)
Broome and Tioga—
Buffalo
' 26
4,505
13,357
2,558
2,003
22
44
11
2J
31, 250
436, 875
23, 002
16, 05C
Cattaraugus
Gavuga
i Amount included in figures on the line designated "Combinations," to avoid disclosing the statistics
of any individual church.
104
CENSUS1 OF RELIGIOUS BODIES, 1936
TABLE 7. — NUMBER AND MEMBERSHIP OF CHURCHES, VALUE AND DEBT ON
CHURCH EDIFICES, EXPENDITURES, AND SUNDAY SCHOOLS, BY ASSOCIATIONS,
1936 — Continued
ASSOCIATION
Total number of 1
churches |
Number of mem-
bers
VALUE OF
CHURCH EDIFICES
DEBT ON
CHURCH EDIFICES
EXPENDITURES
SUNDAY
SCHOOLS
Churches
reporting
Amount
Churches
reporting
Amount
Churches
reporting
Amount
Churches
reporting
i
New York — Con.
Chautauqua »
23
15
15
10
20
27
20
34
10
54
3,464
3,666
1,884
23
15
15
10
19
27
19
34
10
52
12
11
34
13
20
18
22
8
13
7
8
11
17
12
42
6
23
1
9
20
12
10
2
30
9
3
3
2
8
3
$400, 400
550, 000
193, 500
237, 000
285, 200
112, 000
289, 500
548, 600
715, 700
1, 904, 350
53, 500
3, 747, 113
229, 600
268, 900
5, 218, 797
398, 900
575, 000
1, 222, 795
350, 000
236, 000
187, 000
97, 600
27, 250
217, 000
900, 200
197, 100
12, 479, 650
40, 000
324, 300
CO
131, 000
451, 500
275, 000
56,900
0)
175, 050
22, 200
16, 000
12, 700
0)
174, 700
5,400
5
i
i
I
k
6
6
14
1
28
1
3
16
F
9
6
2
2
1
$9, 550
17, 230
150
28, 950
11, 700
800
12, 915
62, 175
46, 708
137, 570
100
393, 829
1,600
4,750
2, 273, 742
27, 148
24, 424
23
15
15
10
20
27
20
34
10
54
12
12
36
13
20
18
23
8
12
7
8
11
16
12
50
7
23
1
9
19
12
8
2
32
8
3
3
3
8
2
1
8
11
10
16
10
9
4
35
16
2?,
$54, 304
53, 157
22, 853
38, 280
29, 508
12, 792
45, 731
53, 845
64, 315
185, 033
8,908
374, 708
24, 663
30, 708
249, 031
56, 630
119, 183
100, 382
40,703
18, 401
19, 555
14, 355
5,154
21, 204
72, 176
28, 930
743,414
7,799
49, 208
(0
18, 627
47, 594
27, 818
7,130
(i)
33, 532
4,087
3,118
1,676
1,377
36, 910
8
2,920
69, 933
36, 858
33, 939
8,267
3,141
3,744
256,069
21, 455
81.628
22
15
13
6
10
18
27
18
3£
54
11
11
35
13
18
17
22
8
12
7
4
11
16
10
48
7
24
1
8
18
12
5
2
30
7
2
2
2
7
2
1
8
11
10
15
10
9
4
34
13
20
2,570
2,269
1,280
1,238
733
337
1,921
2,705
1,859
4,594
327
•9,255
957
1,300
7,063
2,353
2,300
3,573
1,838
949
1,022
690
145
862
2,524
947
10, 893
368
2,445
152
502
1,532
1,374
336
244
4,245
404
219
110
54
844
225
15
360
3,966
1,744
2,398
1,055
399
406
7,969
1,352
3. 008
Chemung River
Clienanso
Cortland
1,886
1,400
756
3,173
4,029
3,866
7,8B2
* 695
16, 685
1,427
2,403
13, 349
3,581
4,653
6,100
3,092
1,785
ll476
1,154
507
1,350
5,029
1,812
46, 736
658
4,046
202
968
3,432
1,974
865
418
3,089
547
408
212
144
1,585
200
13
420
4,126
2,193
3,087
1,331
571
511
12,632
2,064
4925
Dutchess
Essex and Cham-
plain
Franklin
Genesee _
Hudson River Cen-
tral
Hudson River
North ..
Lake George
Long Island
Madison
12
12
36
13
20
18
25
8
13
7
8
11
17
12
51
7
24
1
9
20
12
11
2
32
9
3
4
3
8
3
1
8
11
10
17
10
9
4
35
16
22
Mohawk River
Monroe
Niagara.
Oneida
Onondaga
324, 350
4,154
1,350
7,250
100
Ontario-Yates
Orleans
Oswego
Otsego
Rensselaerville
St. Lawrence
1
7
735
110, 700
Saratoga
Seneca
Southern New
York
16
2, 372, 455
Stephentown
Steuben
3
51, 012
Swedish
Union
Washington-Union.
Wayne
3
1
2
5
8,200
4,000
(')
4,700
Worcester _
Unassociated.
North Dakota:
German Conference
Northwestern
Norwegian Confer-
ence ._
1
1
290
500
Red River Valley __
Russian Conference
Sheyenne River
Swedish Conference
Unassociated
Ohio:
A flams
2
1
28,100
300
8
7
10
15
10
8
4
30
16
20
36, 200
300, 000
289, 520
220, 700
75, 250
16, 300
27,000
2, 360, 300
169, 700
656, 300
Akron
6
5
4
2
103, 900
16, 019
17, 756
8,386
Ashtabula
Auglaize
Cambridge
Central
ClprmoTit.
Cleveland
17
2
4
375, 810
4,050
134. 895
Clinton
Columbus
* Amount included in figures on the line designated "Combinations," to avoid disclosing the statistics of
any individual churcli.
NORTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
105
TABLE 7.— NUMBER AND MEMBERSHIP OF CHURCHES, VALUE AND DEBT ON
CHURCH EDIFICES, EXPENDITURES, AND SUNDAY SCHOOLS, BY ASSOCIATIONS,
1936— Continued
ASSOCIATION
Total number of
churches
1
a
"o j2
,Q
fc
VALUE OF
CHURCH EDIFICES
DEBT ON
CHUECH EDIFICES
EXPENDITURES
SUNDAY
SCHOOLS
Churches
reporting
Amount
Churches
reporting
Amount
Churches
reporting
Amount
Churches
reporthlg
1
02
Ohio— Con.
Coshocton _ . .. _
11
29
6
e
7
6
8
10
18
13
23
11
13
12
9
1
4
1
13
11
9
15
6
1
9
17
£
6
j
£
1C
10
13
24
6
15
8
11
3]
29
1\
18
IS
*
8
11
1,104
7,929
814
968
1,616
876
718
1,977
2,137
2,458
10, 860
1,596
1,990
1,815
1,375
40
405
175
3,733
3,344
3,753
2,829
2,374
514
1,657
4,027
267
1,403
636
767
223
928
2,700
1,401
4,194
6,944
979
3,718
1,139
1,078
55
7,503
5,588
552
1,558
2,735
2,777
162
1,588
1,167
11
28
6
5
7
6
8
10
13
13
23
10
11
11
8
1
4
1
12
10
9
13
6
1
9
16
3
6
5
6
3
5
9
10
11
23
6
15
8
11
1
31
29
3
12
17
12
2
8
8
$51, 000
766, 800
17, 350
83, ftOO
54,500
60, 500
20, 750
325, 000
79, 450
243, 300
1, 652, 345
103, 400
23, 400
123, 000
80, 700
10, 300
(0
842, 625
365, 200
324, 000
253, 700
192, 000
0)
63,050
221, 540
9,500
120, 000
34, 400
87, 100
30,500
29, 050
266, 610
160, 754
386, 900
838, 000
132,500
383,600
91,700
54,300
1, 039, 000
907, 580
45, 500
J 64, 650
366, 500
212, 170
(')
368, 000
60, 500
11
29
6
5
7
6
8
10
17
13
23
11
13
12
9
1
3
1
12
11
9
14
6
1
9
16
3
6
5
7
3
5
10
10
13
24
6
15
8
11
1
31
28
g
13
17
13
I
9
$9, 036
107, 177
1,469
10, 530
15, 720
8,417
4,271
23,006
17,003
25, 741
260, 049
15, 481
4,289
14, 782
13, 091
S'918
63, 946
36, 989
36, 716
28,294
20, 171
0)
10, 142
46, 878
3,862
34, 817
6,300
10,420
3,206
9,247
35, 551
19, 362
55, 406
88,079
13, 292
57, 564
14, 696
10,543
132, 631
91, 654
7,855
20,405
26,553
36, 138
0)
29,906
9,342
11
28
6
6
7
6
8
10
14
13
23
9
13
12
6
1
3
1
13
11
8
14
6
1
9
15
3
6
5
7
3
5
10
9
12
22
6
15
7
10
1
29
24
718
5,848
255
703
1,143
652
436
1, 504
1,246
2,274
8,465
817
1,189
1,356
959
70
205
155
3,055
2,449
2,823
2,165
1,960
575
738
2,137
302
1,193
491
639
255
517
1,745
1,198
2,650
4,247
663
3,185
791
710
20
5,642
4,458
315
1,212
2,196
1,892
146
1,256
1,148
Dayton
9
$41, 200
Gallia
Huron
1
3
2
1.000
1,100
3,475
Lawrence
Lorain
Mad River
Mansfield
2
1
2
9
1
39, 100
3,900
4,951
211, 050
950
Marietta
Marion
Miami
Mount Vernon
Ohio (Independent)
Pomeroy
2
2
600
17,000
Ports1"1"1 °nth
Providence
Rio Grande
Swedish
1
3
6
3
2
3
1
2
3
1
2
0)
32, 500
16, 470
11, 100
8,200
11, 099
0)
7,600
23, 000
5,400
3,750
Toledo
Trumbull
Wooster
Zanesville
Zoar
Unassociated
Oklahoma:
Western Oklahoma-
Indian
Oregon:
Central- Willamette
Deschutes
German
Grande Ronde
Rogue River
2
9,748
Swedish
Umatilla
TTrnprjiia
4
3
5
11
1
7
2
3
1
12
8
1
3
5
n
4
14, 184
8,770
30, 270
77,164
750
25, 772
535
2,025
101, 411
138, 433
4,084
3,595
15, 418
842
Willamette — Out-
side
Willamette— Port-
land. ..
Pennsylvania:
Abington -
Allegheny River
Beaver
Bradford . .
Bridgewater-
Broome and Tiosca
(New York)
Central Union
Centre
Chemung River
(New York)
Clarion
1J
16
1J
I
11
Clearfield
French Creek
TT&rrisbTirg
(.
37,450
3,500
Indiana
i Amount included in figures on the line designated "Combinations," to avoid disclosing the statistics
of any individual church.
106
CENSUS1 OF RELIGIOUS BODIES, 1936
TABLE 7. — NUMBER AND MEMBERSHIP OF CHURCHES, VALUE AND DEBT ON
CHURCH EDIFICES, EXPENDITURES, AND SUNDAY SCHOOLS, BY ASSOCIATIONS,
1936 — Continued
ASSOCIATION
Total number of
churches
Number of mem-
bers
VALUE OF
CHURCH EDIFICES
DEBT ON
CHURCH EDIFICES
EXPENDITURES
SUNDAY
SCHOOLS
Churches
reporting
Amount
Churches
reporting
Amount
i Churches
reporting
Amount
Churches
reporting
Scholars
Pennsylvania— Con.
Monongahela
26
40
33
21
67
65
23
12
1
1
17
28
10
11
16
13
26
21
18
24
9
11
4
15
6
5
2
9
4
1
8
5
1
9
8
15
10
11
14
11
11
8
7
1
6
2
13
25
13
15
5,449
10, 467
6,680
4,588
38, 045
17, 782
4,316
2,711
83
179
2,385
2,494
748
2,652
2,627
4,657
2,449
5,530
3,068
7,702
919
1,488
236
2,306
701
407
166
1,783
515
17
1,376
536
60
1,023
1,331
2,736
1,004
1,358
1,949
1,413
1,725
1,083
527
60
985
S3
3,985
5,692
2,017
2.129
25
39
31
20
63
59
20
9
1
1
17
24
11
15
11
24
19
15
21
8
11
15
6
5
1
9
4
1
8
4
1
9
8
14
8
10
13
11
10
8
7
1
e
2
13
24
13
13
$419, 600
1, 667, 400
807, 500
705, 800
4, 956, 750
3, 386, 154
710, 500
425, 500
0)
0)
126, 000
147, 050
64, 000
398, 000
276, 300
289, 000
219, 000
1, 052, 285
318, 900
1, 163, 000
152, 000
150f 600
30, 100
122, 600
128, 900
39, 550
197, 000
49, 000
0)
350, 000
102, 500
78, 600
145, 500
353, 300
77, 425
129, 500
205, 700
91, 400
67, 725
90,300
34,500
0)
146,000
0)
598, 300
586, 649
145, 150
294. 000
8
21
11
13
29
36
9
3
$10, 519
212, 258
40, 780
140, 985
407, 419
753, 673
164, 245
27, 800
26
40
31
21
67
64
23
12
1
1
17
27
9
11
15
13
24
21
18
24
9
11
4
15
6
5
2
9
4
1
8
5
1
9
8
15
9
11
14
11
11
8
7
1
6
2
13
25
13
15
$43, 030
227, 819
87, 840
63,868
475, 750
284, 823
74, 002
54, 746
0)
0)
18, 458
21, 634
9,533
42,827
37,876
32, 523
39, 311
114, 244
62,193
160, 702
10, 530
14, 167
2,739
34, 409
10, 942
4,307
22, 493
6,095
0)
20, 545
10, 528
C1)
12, 535
21, 994
32, 196
13, 028
17, 564
25, 905
20,795
25, 702
13, 746
9,001
(*)
10, 042
55, 007
81,087
24; 999
39. 832
26
40
31
21
64
63
22
12
1
1
17
26
10
11
15
13
20
21
17
24
8
10
4
15
0
4
2
9
4
1
8
4
1
7
7
15
9
9
13
11
11
6
7
1
5
2
12
25
12
15
3,762
10, 296
5,067
3,463
18, 675
11,481
3,522
2,533
29
210
1,828
1,797
589
2,235
2,216
1,784
1,220
3, 658
1,993
4,783
608
966
251
2,397
758
335
145
1,134
465
41
947
222
46
468
745
1,079
525
724
983
1,369
1,482
829
541
65
608
73
2,723
4,856
1,669
1.605
North Philadelphia.
Northumberland . . .
Oil Creek, ..
Philadelphia.. ..
Pittsburgh,
Reading
Riverside
Steuben
Swedish
Ten Mile
Tioga. .__
4
3
6
3
6
4
4
3
10
3
3
7,200
5,700
47, 210
21, 609
72, 307
10, 775
20, 380
7,652
136, 275
9,300
10, 075
Wayne .
Welsh ...
Wyoming
Unassociated-
Rhode Island:
Narra^ansett
Providence.
Roger Williams
Warren _
South Dakota:
Black Hills
Central
Danish-Norwegian
German
4
2
1
1
2
1
2,125
12, 750
12,000
°U
325
Northern
Northwestern
Rosebud
Southern- _
Swedish
Texas:
Swedish
Utah:
Utah State Conven-
tion
4
1
16, 515
1,900
Vermont:
Addison
Berkshire (Massa-
chusetts) .-
Danville
Lamoille.-
2
2
2
1
2
4
3
3
1
3,751
25,870
3,390
75
10, 850
1,880
6,510
5,418
200
Shaftsburv ,
Vermont Central . . .
Windham,._
Woodstock
Washington:
Bellingham Bay
Central „_
Cowlitz
Overman
Idaho State —
Mount Pleasant-
Palouse. ..
2
23, 146
Norwegian- Danish
Conference.
Puget Sound .
8
9
6
7
118, 435
81, 195
4,325
22. 469
Seattle
Spokane
Swedish
1 Amount included in figures on the line designated "Combinations," to avoid disclosing the statistics
of any individual church.
NORTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
107
TABLE 7, — NXJMBBR AND MEMBERSHIP OF CHURCHES, VALUE AND DEBT ON
CHURCH EDIFICES, EXPENDITURES, AND SUNDAY SCHOOLS, BY ASSOCIATIONS,
1936 — Continued
ASSOCIATION
Total number of
churches
1
r
J3
£
VALUE OF
CHURCH EDIFICES
DEBT ON
CHUKCH EDIFICES
EXPENDITtJEES
SUNDAY
SCHOOLS
Churches
reporting
Amount
Churches
reporting
Amount
Churches
reporting
Amount
Churches
reporting
1
J3
&
West Virginia:
Broad Run.
26
22
11
34
9
15
11
43
35
21
19
45
31
43
22
12
26
34
35
24
1
24
20
2
8
1
8
6
11
4
12
20
2
21
5
15
15
14
1
9
11
4
1
3,052
2,289
813
3,423
2,126
1,278
1,167
5,629
8,696
1,534
1,306
4,867
4,010
8,367
2,163
2,626
4,307
4,773
3,716
3,936
104
3,738
3,790
138
727
11
1,164
1,640
1,325
687
1,419
4,234
311
2,098
352
1,597
1,975
2,068
19
1,039
1,651
1,215
112
22
20
11
27
9
15
10
40
34
17
18
41
29
35
20
11
24
27
24
21
1
20
18
2
8
1
6
6
11
4
12
18
2
21
5
15
15
14
1
9
11
4
1
$131, 200
42, 280
33, 075
92, 600
94, 500
31, 900
43,800
268, 050
572, 900
50, 500
35, 700
102,015
161,450
803,450
43, 500
112, 600
377, 009
276, 121
121,800
189, 400
143, 450
134, 300
C)
79, 975
86,000
208, 500
121,800
70,000
134, 600
612,832
C1)
179, 550
66, 000
190, 950
274,000
291,000
C1)
80,300
122, 400
73, 000
G)
726, 000
1
$50
26
21
11
29
9
14
9
41
35
20
19
44
30
43
21
12
26
33
35
22
1
24
20
1
8
1
8
6
11
4
11
20
2
21
5
15
15
14
1
9
10
4
1
$17, 141
9,674
3,276
12, 626
20, 941
4,059
6,929
27, 930
85, 022
7,247
5,089
19, 380
18, 262
86, 170
4,009
20, 026
37, 087
34, 259
22, 784
24, 746
(*)
21, 383
19, 620
0)
10, 838
0)
13,099
24,646
19, 139
10, 787
20,617
92,540
C1)
33, 538
6,044
29,037
34, 703
30, 392
0)
12, 918
20,280
9,575
C1)
123, 887
26
21
10
28
8
12
8
37
35
15
18
42
29
39
18
12
25
30
25
23
1
23
18
2
7
1
7
6
9
4
11
19
2
21
4
15
15
14
2,128
1,778
485
2,689
1,079
682
622
3,239
8,145
1,021
945
3,603
2,070
6,412
956
1,954
2,944
3,482
2,534
2,787
45
2,584
1,881
154
601
22
686
847
732
524
1,006
2,874
105
1,784
278
1,552
1,517
1,042
Coal River
Eastern „_
1
2
2
3,259
1,115
3,348
Elk Valley .
Fairmont
Good Hope
Goshen
1
6
8
1,000
12, 540
69,825
Greenbrier
Guyandotte
Harmony
Harris ville
Hopewell
1
1
5
12
6,800
32, 820
Judson
Kanawha Valley..-
Mount Pisgah *
Panhandle
1
1
3
1
4
5,677
1,600
25, 650
9,000
14, 092
P arkersburg
Raleigh
Rock Castle
Teays Valley
Ten Mile (Penn-
sylvania)
Twelve Pole
1
3
1
2
1
4
1
4
2
1
10
2
10
2
9
6
5
11, 500
6,300
0
2,025
9,935
27,800
1,655
5,500
6,000
116, 726
(')
25, 645
1,665
27,240
21, 100
4, 004
Union
Unassoeiated
Wisconsin:
Central
German
Green Bay
Janesville
La Crosse.. -
Lincoln __. _
Madison „
Milwaukee
Northern
Northwestern
Southwestern
Swedish Conference
Walworth
Winnebago
Unassoeiated
Wyoming:
Big Horn -
4
6
1
5,650
19,202
2,200
9
10
3
1
812
1,311
735
125
Central
Southern
Swedish
Combinations
94,900
* Amount included in figures on the line designated "Combinations," to avoid disclosing the statistics
of any individual church.
HISTORY, DOCTRINE, AND ORGANIZATION1
HISTORY AND ORGANIZATION
Northern Baptist origins. — Beginning with the oldest branches of Northern Bap-
tist activity, Baptist work before the war of the American Revolution was confined
i This statement was furnished by Dr. Clarence M. Gallup, recording secretary, Northern Baptist Con-
vention, New York, N. Y«
108 CENSUS1 OF RELIGIOUS BODIEiS, 1936
to plans of individual local churches and small groups of neighboring churches,
called associations. These associational groups appeared in Virginia, Rhode
Island, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania; and gradually the associations themselves
came to stand together for the propagation of their form of faith, for the general
principle of freedom of conscience in religious concerns, and for mutual defense of
their forms of organization. The first Baptist commonwealth, founded in Rhode
Island by Roger Williams, an associate of men like Cromwell and Milton in
England and of Governor Winthrop in the New England colonies, grew into areas
of influence like that of the Philadelphia Association which, in turn, was the mother
of other associations like the Warren Association, in Rhode Island. George
Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin all acknowledged indebt-
edness to the Baptists of Virginia and Rhode Island for principles so well estab-
lished and proven valid that they embodied them in their drafts of the Declaration
of Independence and of the Constitution of the United States. These early
associations established libraries, schools, colleges, and churches in their humble
and meager way, some of which have become institutions of national prominence
and great fame*. But it was not until the nineteenth century that Baptists in
the North had grown to numbers large enough, and means of travel and communi-
cation had become sufficiently general through the railroad and the telegraph, for
the denomination, along with other denominations, to envision an organic and
organized career for the group as a whole.
Northern Baptists after separation from the South. — The Northern Baptist churches
withdrew from organic connection with the Southern Baptist churches about
1844. While it is generally supposed that this rift was caused by differences of
opinion regarding slavery, as was the case in some other denominations, the real
reason for the breach was a difference over the method of raising and distributing
missionary moneys.
After this adjustment had been made, the churches of the North and their group
organizations moved ahead with new growth and energy. The heated contro-
versies concerning theological and denominational ideologies, which had character-
ized the late eighteenth century and the early nineteenth, had been succeeded by
a spirit of realism and of need for associated effort in the new group. It was a period
of building vehicles for moving the projects mutually sponsored by the churches.
The American Baptist Missionary Union (later named the American Baptist
Foreign Mission Society), the American Baptist Home Mission Society, and the
American Baptist Publication Society all were organized in the early nineteenth
century, before the Northern and Southern Baptist separation; and they pro-
ceeded" vigorously with their work, which has been maintained with great enter-
prise ever since.
Organization of a new denomination. — A great change in the methods of the
Northern Baptists resulted from the formation of the Northern Baptist Conven-
tion, at Washington, D. C., in 1907. In this scheme of things, the convention
exists as a corporation, chartered under the laws of the State of New York, with
broad powers to conduct religious work, receive and expend funds, act as financial
trustee, and affiliate itself with other similar bodies. Previously, the churches
operated through their missionary societies. Now, they united their far-flung
interests in an inclusive corporation.
Following this arrangement, the aforesaid three societies, together with the
Woman's American Baptist Foreign Mission Society and the Woman's American
Baptist Home Mission Society, became so-called "Cooperating Organizations" of
the convention, although maintaining their own charters, powers of self-direction,
and management. The convention also instituted and caused to be incorpo-
rated the Board of Education to supervise the work of the denomination among
Baptist schools and colleges, and the Ministers and Missionaries Benefit Board to
collect and distribute funds for the financial relief of needy Baptist ministers and
missionaries, their widows and dependent children. In 1920 the Ministers and
Missionaries Benefit Board adopted a retiring pension plan as a means of definite
contributory pensions for ministers at the age of 65, based on salaries and terms
of service.
Later developments in organization, by which the work of this convention was
ramified, included a closer relationship of the Baptist State conventions of the
Northern convention territory and the better grade of local City Mission Societies
with the Northern Convention itself, under the classification "Affiliated Organi-
zations." The "Cooperating Organizations" and the "Affiliated Organizations"
assist the convention in raising and distributing funds under that which is known
as the "cooperative plan," with a "unified budget." Other organizations related
NOETHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION 109
to or associated with the Northern Baptist Convention are the American Baptist
Historical Society, Baptist Young People's Union of America, National Council
of Northern Baptist Men, and Ministers Council.
The constituent factor in the Northern Baptist group is the local church. Each
church is independent of every other church and of the convention itself, except
as they act together by agreement. The convention sessions are delegated
assemblies, composed of delegates from the churches, duly accredited, and ex-of-
ficio delegates from certain national and State bodies. The managing body of
the convention is the General Council, when the convention is not in session;
but the convention, when in session, has supreme authority in its own affairs.
The most continuously and widely active body among the convention councils is
the Council on Finance and Promotion, which promotes giving among individuals
and churches, and manages the collection of funds for the unified budget, except
as the various organizations secure, on their own initiative, "designated" gifts.
Other councils for special activities are the Council on Christian Education and
the Council on World Evangelization. Besides these councils, many committees,
elected or appointed annually or for longer periods, function according to their
obvious purposes as indicated by their names, such as law, finance, budget research,
resolutions, American home, Baptist bodies using foreign languages, city missions,
conference with other religious bodies, denominational calendar, historical libraries
and societies, homes and hospitals, public relations, social service, race relations,
State conventions, traffic bureau — and other committees appointed for immediate
service only. All the foregoing councils and committees are amenable to the
advice of the General Council.
Organic union of the various missionary societies of the denomination has been
broached several times, but legal and pragmatic difficulties have failed to be
surmounted at such times. Nevertheless, the present arrangement has resulted
in some elimination of expenditures and of overlapping in methods, and has
tended toward a unity and efficiency which were sadly lacking 40 years before.
Financial acquisitions. — In its financial undertakings, the Northern Baptist
Convention has had reasonably good success. Many millions of dollars have
been raised for its general business, as shown by the pledges for its united work,
received in the so-called New World Movement, amounting to approximately
$52,000,000, payable over a period of 5 years. From this income and that from
invested funds, vast advance projects were launched; educational institutions
were strengthened or endowed; churches and mission stations were built; new
fields at home and abroad were opened; more missionaries were commissioned;
great publishing enterprises were begun. Through a period of approximately a
century, from the group of a few original societies to the present seven major
denominational societies and boards, the assets of these organizations have
attained the amount of $58,981,196. In addition to these funds, the property
and endowment assets of the churches of the denomination are now $193,512,662,
and of its schools and colleges $254,738,176. These figures do not include assets
of State conventions nor city mission societies, nor of associated organizations,
which are very varied and scattered. During the fiscal year 1935-36, the churches
spent $14,262,740 for operating expenses and contributed $2,258,792 for missions.
Social service. — The general social and philanthropic attitudes of this Con-
vention are exhibited in service rendered by many city mission societies and their
sociological centers; studies of the American home; coordination of religious
bodies using foreign languages; conferences on race relations; furtherance of
historical research; establishment of Baptist homes for the aged and orphans, and
hospitals for all; promotion of social reforms; and youth-training enterprises.
Interdenominational relationships. — The denomination has reacted favorably
in some measure to the tendency toward cooperation and unity among the
Christian denominations. Not only are the donations noted in a previous
paragraph made to the Federal Council of Churches of Christ in America and to
the World Council of Churches, but the Northern Baptist Convention sends
nearly a score of delegates annually to the Federal Council and sent representa-
tives to the first and preliminary meeting of the World Council. Several of the
members of the convention serve on the executive committee of the Federal
Council. Closer relations than formerly are now maintained with the General
Baptists, the Disciples of Christ, the Southern Baptist Convention, and the
National Baptist Convention. Fraternal delegates are sent as messengers ^ to
various Baptist bodies in Canada. In its wider affiliations, the denomination
shares importantly in official ranks and in forensic honors among the great eccle-
siastical councils of the world, such as those at Oxford, Edinburgh, Utrecht, and
elsewhere. About 25 years ago the Northern Baptist Convention received into
110 census1 OF BELIGIOUS BODIES, 1936
full fellowship and all privileges of service the Free Will Baptists. During the
World War, the convention provided its quota in the Chaplain Corps oi the
United States Army and in the Bed Cross organizations.
Size of the denomination.— In 1936, the Northern Baptist Convention reported
7,716 churches with 1,458,811 members and with 8,300 pastors and missionaries.
There were Sunday schools to the number of 6,732, with an enrollment of 1,150,891.
Statistics concerning the missionary and philanthropic organizations are given in
other sections of this review.
DOCTRINE
The doctrinal requisites for Baptists are at an almost irreducible minimum.
Although various groups and assemblies, at various times, have endeavored to
formulate "Confessions of Faith/' such as the "New Hampshire Confes^on' ;
and although many local churches have "Articles of Faith" and "Church Cove-
nants/' these last are adopted by the individual churches, are for their own use
locally and are binding on no other churches than the ones which adopted them.
Even in the local church there is wide liberty of opinion permitted concerning these
doctrinal statements. The number and length of them tends steadily to decrease.
One reason for this light hold of creedal statement is that Baptists generally hold
to the view that the Bible itself, especially the New Testament, is the only proper
compendium for faith and practice; and the individual conscience and intelligence,
enlightened by the Divine Spirit, is the proper interpreter thereof. The second
reason is that the epoch-making and successful battle which early American Bap-
tists and others made for freedom of conscience in religion and worship was cal-
culated to reduce the amount of regimentation of thought among them%
Baptists, in general, believe in religious freedom, the validity and inspiration of
the Scriptures, the Lordship of Christ, the immortality of the soul, the brotherhood
of man, the future life, the need of redemption from sin, and the ultimate triumph
of the Kingdom of God. Various groups and individuals hold to other items of
conviction, which are not so universally accepted, and by many are regarded as
centuries, Baptists generally have stood for the validity and value of
two ordinances, baptism and the Lord's Supper, their insistence has been limited
to those two; and their views as to the vital efficacy of those ordinances have
gradually shaded into a conviction of their value as an aid to Christian witness
and comfort, rather than as a vital necessity for Christian character. This in-
creasing liberalism is especially characteristic of Northern Baptists, and has come
about more or less through the increase of scholarship and the association and
conference in the north of many more diverse groups than are found elsewhere in
So-calied fundamentalism, or reactionary and conservative bodies of thought
revolving around the Scriptures and theology, is found somewhat among Northern
Baptists,* but this phenomenon is not peculiar to them, being found also in prac-
tically all evangelical communions.
WORK
In this section are presented the operations of the Northern Baptist Conven-
tion through its agencies, as distinguished from the general scope and principles
of action treated in foregoing paragraphs. . .
Mission work in the United States and its dependencies. — The American Baptist
Publication Society was organized in 1824. Its operations have not been con-
fined to the North, but its offices and chief property are in Philadelphia, and it is
fully recognized as a unit of the Northern Baptist Convention organization, with
which it is in full cooperation. It has several departments: Publishing, mission-
ary (including Bible distribution and evangelism), religious education, vacation
schools, social education, and youth training. The missionary department em-
ploys religious education directors, State missionary pastors, chapel car mission-
aries and automobile colporteurs. It distributes Bible and other literature in
a number of different languages. In 1936 the American Baptist Publication
Society was employing 127 agents; it had organized over 7,000 Sunday schools
and over 2,000 churches during its history up to that time; churches assisted in
part numbered many thousands; young people's societies assisted numbered over
5,000; and its own religious literature was distributed, representing 118 different
publications amounting to 400,000,000 total pages for the year, not counting the
output of miscellaneous literature by many publishers, through the various book
NORTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION 111
stores maintained by the society in strategic locations throughout the United
States. The income of the society from all sources was $1,086,854, and the total
assets were $4,753,489.
The American Baptist Home Mission Society was organized in 1832. It
employs general missionaries and pastors among people of both English and
foreign tongues, in the United States, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Cuba; it aids
city missions; builds meeting houses; maintains schools for Negroes and Indians;
and promotes evangelism and various phases of social service.
In 1936, this society employed a staff and agents in the field to the number of
502, including missionary teachers. There were 821 churches aided (including
Latin and North America) ; the churches assisted in the Church Edifice Depart-
ment from 1920-36 numbered 295 and to the extent of $1,074,350; the total
income of this society from all sources was $501,570 for the year, and the total
assets were $17,240,230.
The Woman's American Baptist Home Mission Society was organized origi-
nally in 1877, and was consolidated in 1909 with the Women's Baptist Home
Mission Society of Michigan, with headquarters in Chicago. Its object, primarily,
is the employment of women missionaries to work chiefly among peoples using
foreign languages, and among Negroes and Indians; and the maintenance of
training schools for missionary workers. This society employed 179 missionaries
and 22 native teachers and had 14 nurses in training in 1936. Of the mission-
aries, 18 were assigned, 1 each, to the same number of foreign language churches.
Christian centers were maintained in cities to the number of 38, in cooperat ion
with the American Baptist Home Mission Society, State conventions, or city
mission societies. Five Indian mission stations were maintained. The total
income was $186,828. The total assets were $3,193,202.
Mission work in foreign countries. — The American Baptist Foreign Mission
Society was organized in Philadelphia in 1814, as the "General Missionary Con-
vention of the Baptist Denomination in the United States of America for Foreign
Missions." In 1846 the name was changed to the "American Baptist Mission
Union," and again in 1910 the name was changed to "American Baptist Foreign
Mission Society."
The fields in which this society operates in the Far East are India (including
Burma and Assam), China, Japan, Africa, and the Philippines. In Europe
work is carried on in Sweden, Germany, France, Belgium, Spain, Finland, Den-
mark, and Norway (and formerly in Russia); but this work is confined almost
entirely to assistance in the training of ministers and in the meeting of the ex-
penses of local churches. American missionaries are not sent to these countries
and the work there is on an entirely different basis from that in Asia and Africa.
The statistics for this society for 1935-36 included the following: Countries in
which work was projected, 10 (not including Europe); resident missionaries, 545;
stations occupied, 122; American missionaries, 545; native workers, 10,039;
churches assisted in foreign lands, 916; schools maintained in foreign lands, 4,326
(of which 2,361 were self-supporting); hospitals and dispensaries, 95, treating
25,908 in-patients and 287,203 out-patients (a total of 313,111); total income
derived from all sources was $1,097,848. Total assets were $10,249,702.
This society cooperates with the Baptists in nine European countries. This work
is represented by 2,034 workers, ordained and unprdained; 647 organized churches,
with 110,949 members; 1,444 Sunday schools, with 58,335 members; 7 theological
seminaries, with 85 students. The amount of money raised by Baptists in these
lands was $242,127 in Europe and $274,806 in the 10 mission fields in other lands.
The society maintains training schools for native workers, and cooperates with
other Baptist national organizations, both American and European.
The Woman's American Baptist Foreign Mission Society is in close cooperation
with the general foreign society. This organization is a continuation of the two
former societies, the Woman's American Foreign Mission Society and the Woman's
Baptist Foreign Mission Society of the West. The earlier societies were organ-
ized in 1871 and their consolidation occurred in 1914.
The work of this society is a broad parallel of that of the general society, but
with special emphasis upon the work among girls and women in the foreign-
mission stations, in the schools and colleges, and in the area of medical and social
work in foreign countries. This society is highly organized in this country, every
district, State, and church being represented in or contacted by the official circle.
Large amounts of literature are distributed and many interesting devices for the
raising of money in small amounts from individuals are constantly originated.
For 1936 the society employed 199 missionaries in educational, medical (nurses
112 CENSUS OE RELIGIOUS BODIES, 1936
and physicians), and social work in 10 countries, at Sl^definite stations. The
income of the society from all sources was $334,345, and the total assets amounted
to $2,544,573.
Affiliated missionary organizations. — Large and influential organizations
affiliated with the Northern Baptist Convention are the State Baptist conventions
in 30 States, including special groups in the District of Columbia, Missouri,
Oklahoma, and Puerto Rico; and 16 standard city-mission societies, operating
among foreign-speaking peoples, the under-privileged, and the humbler classes of
population generally, and maintaining church services, educational and social
service centers, hospitalization, Americanization, etc.
Education work. — The general education work of the Northern Baptist Conven-
tion is under the supervision and direction of the Board of Education, a corpora-
tion organized by the convention in 1920 to succeed the American Baptist Edu-
cation Society, which had functioned since 1888. This board assists Baptist
secondary schools and colleges financially, and in some cases exercises direct
control of them. In non-Baptist institutions, and in State universities to some
extent, the board supervises Baptist religious interests as here indicated.
There are 19 colleges, 10 junior colleges, and 11 secondary schools, caring for
white pupils, in which this board has some interest or control. These institutions
have 2,585 teachers and 30,236 pupils, as of 1936. They have real property
amounting to $102,249,601 and endowments of $152,488,515. There are also seven
schools for Negroes in the Southern States maintained in whole or in part by
agencies of the Northern Baptist Convention, such as the American Baptist Home
Mission Society, in which the Board of Education has a hand. The total enroll-
ment of these schools in 1936 was 128 teachers and 2,200 students. The property
of these schools is valued at $2,579,839 and the endowments amount to $1,954,923.
The Convention maintains 1 school for Indians in the United States at Bacone,
Okla., with 18 teachers and 260 students; and a property worth $365,000, with
an endowment of $233,000. The Convention also cares for some schools among
the foreign-language peoples of the United States, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Haiti,
Mexico, and Nicaragua. In the United States, there are 6 missionary and
religious work training schools with 46 teachers, 177 students; property valued
at §931,465 and endowments of $219,490. In addition to the foregoing, there
are 10 theological seminaries with 137 teachers, 1,512 students; property valued
at $5,594,144, and endowments aggregating $13,191,371.
The Board of Education also maintains student pastors and similar agencies in
various colleges; and it conducts work for youth of both sexes through its mission-
ary education department, which is popularly known under the names of World
Wide Guild, Royal Ambassadors, and Crusaders. The work of this department
also has a very wide scope among the adults of the churches and Sunday schools.
Closely allied with the work of the educational agencies of the Northern Baptist
Convention is the self-directed work of the Baptist Young People's Union of
America, a fraternal organization for the young people's societies of the Baptist
churches. In this organization are approximately 6,000 young people's unions,
with at least 150,000 members, and a considerable number of Christian Endeavor
Societies closely affiliated with the major Baptist Union.
Philanthropic enterprises. — While vast areas of philanthropic work are covered
by the various missionary societies of the denomination, including medical
missions and relief work, the outstanding philanthropic endeavor of the denomi-
nation is expressed in the splendid outreach of the Ministers and Missionaries
Benefit Board, which is the organization for pensions and relief among ministers,
missionaries, their widows and dependent children, of the Northern Baptist
Convention. This incorporated board was 23 years of age in 1936 and, beginning
its work with only $250,000, at its twenty-third anniversary had assets valued at
$21,000,000, representing pension, general, permanent, and annuity funds. In
this year, the board had 2,839 members in its pension plan, of whom 33 percent
were already drawing pensions amounting to approximately $350,000; and other
beneficiaries, approximately 1,400, to whom, as individuals, grants were made in
extreme need for personal or family use. This board also receives annuity gifts
and issues binding contracts for the same. During its existence the board has
distributed in pensions and relief approximately $8,000,000.
Another philanthropic enterprise of the denomination is represented by the
Association of Baptist Homes and Hospitals. The association is in its infancy,
but already promises great usefulness. Baptist independent hospitals, and homes
for the aged and for orphans, which have performed important service to a
Baptist constituency, are now leagued together for enlarged scope and increased
resources. At present there are 6 hospitals, 20 homes for the aged, and 16
NORTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION 113
orphanages, representing an average of 13,447 patients in the hospitals, and of
1,945 residents in the homes. The value of the property of these institutions is
$6,281,263, and their endowments amount to $3,846,411.
Publication agencies and projects. — The publication interests of the North-
ern Baptists are varied and extensive. The American Baptist Publication
Society publishes several score of religious books a year, besides "The Annual'5
(reports) of the Northern Baptist Convention and "The American Baptist Year-
Book" (statistics). This society also issues regularly 118 Sunday school and
other periodicals. The society maintains branches and stores in various cities of
the United States and Canada. In addition to this publication society, the Ger-
man Baptist Publication Society, of Cleveland, Ohio, and the Swedish Baptist
Publication Society, of Chicago, 111., produce a number of publications; and some
publication work is carried on by the Hungarian, Roumanian, Polish, Italian,
French, and Slovak Baptist organizations.
The various missionary societies and the Council on Finance and Promotion
print and distribute a large array of books, leaflets, and pamphlets every year,
which are distributed through the literature department of the Board of Educa-
tion and, also, directly from the societies.
The principal denominational magazines (weekly, monthly, and quarterly)
in English are The Watchman-Examiner, Missions, The Ministry, and The
Baptist Minister; and the foreign-speaking conventions also publish some 40
periodicals of their own. The State conventions publish their own State bulletins
monthly, and the Council on Finance and Promotion provides all denominational
leaders with a monthly news bulletin of leading denominational items.
Pageantry and religious drama are more and more engaging the attention of
players' guilds in the churches, with the result that denominational authorship
is on the increase. The visualization department of the Council on Finance and
Promotion, by stereopticon, motion pictures, and crayon talks has developed a
widespread influence and business. There have been years and decades when the
figures were higher or ;lower according to circumstances than in 1936. All in
all, however, the Northern Baptist Convention has had a steady growth in mem-
bers, finances, and influence.
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
STATISTICS
Summary for the United States, with urban-rural classification. — A general
summary of the statistics for the Southern Baptist Convention for the year
1936 is presented in table 1, which shows also the distribution of these figures
between urban and rural territory. The statistics for the Southern Baptist
Convention are incomplete, due to the failure of the pastor or clerk of the church
to furnish a report to this Bureau after repeated requests. The data presented
here represent a compilation of the reports received.*
The membership of this denomination comprises those who have been received
into the local churches upon voluntary confession of faith in the Lord Jesus
Christ and a willingness to carry out His will, and baptism by immersion.
TABLE 1. — SUMMAEY OF STATISTICS FOR CHURCHES IN URBAN AND RURAL
TERRITORY, 1936
ITEM
Total
In urban
territory
In rural
territory
PERCENT OF
TOTAL
Urban
Rural
Churches (local organizations), number
* * 13, 815
* 2, 700, 155
195
1, 071, Oil
1,437,885
191, 259
74 5
135, 152
2, 181, 625
383, 378
5.8
12, 742
12, 370
$117, 766, 295
$113, 504, 370
$4, 261, 925
$9, 520
1,740
$14, 428, 046
7,627
2,378
2,320
$7,986,539
13, 521
$19,630,844
$6, 415, 956
$1, 492, 748
$1, 667, 276
$2, 104, 500
$3,685,265
$478, 158
$314, 074
$312, 373
$2,026,624
$1, 133, 870
$1,452
12, 161
192,770
1,664,105
1,843
1, 023, 971
556
382, 558
537, 207
104,206
71.2
68, 826
; 798,440
156, 705
: 7.9
1,742
1,702
$76, 707, 132
$74, 139, 022
$2, 568, 110
$45, 069
815
$12, 373, 270
658
750
744
$4,321,833
1,832
$11, 858, 578
$2,964,524
$1,078,800
$873, 203
$1, 585, 611
$2, 651, 721
$226, 187
$182, 536
$199, 848
$1, 415, 699
$680,449
$6,473
1,753
73, 822
720. 271
11,972
1, 676, 184
140
688,453
900, 678
87, 053
76 4
66, 326
1, 383, 185
226, 673
4.6
„ 11,000
10, 668
$41, 059, 163
339, 365, 348
$1, 693, 815
$3, 849
925
$2, 054, 776
6,969
1,628
1,576
$3, 664, 706
11, 689
$7, 772, 266
$3; 451, 432
. $413,948
$794,073
$518,889
$1, 033, 544
$251, 971
$131, 538
$112, 525
$610, 925
$453, 421
$665
10, 408
118, 948
943. 834
13.3
37.9
86.7
62.1
Members, number
Average membership per church
Membership by sex:
Male
35.7
37 4
54.5
64.3
62.6
44.5
Female
Sex not reported
Males per 100 females
Membership by age:
Under 13 years _.
50.9
36 6
40.9
49.1
63.4
59.1
13 years and over. .
Age not reported _
Percent under 13 years 2
Clmrch edifices, number
13.7
13.8
65.1
65.3
60.3
86 3
86 2
34.9
34.7
39.7
Value — number reporting
Amount reported
Constructed prior to 1936 „ _
Constructed, wholly or in part, in
1936-
Average value per church
Debt — number reporting
46.8
85 8
8.6
31.5
32.1
54.1
13.5
60.4
46.2
72.3
52.4
75.3
72.0
47.3
58.1
64.0
69.9
60.0
63.2
14 2
91.4
68.5
67.9
45.9
86.5
39.6
53.8
27.7
47.6
24.7
28 0
52.7
41.9
36.0
30.1
40.0
Amount reported.
Number reporting "no debt"
Parsonages, number ._
Value — number reporting
Amount reported
Expenditures :
Churches reporting, number
Amount reported
Pastors' salaries
All other salaries _
Repairs and improvements
Payment on church debt, excluding
interest
All other current expenses, including
interest
Local relief and charity, Red Cross, etc..
Home missions ...
Foreign missions
To general headquarters for distribution.
All other purposes
Average expenditure per church
Sunday schools :
Churches reporting, number
14.4
38.3
43.3
85.6
61.7
56.7
Officers and teachers,.
Scholars.. _ ....
* The Southern Baptist Handbook for 1937 shows 24,671 churches and 4,482,315 members for 1936.
i Exclusive of statistics for 30 churches belonging to the Columbia Association— 24 in the District of Colum-
bia and 6 in the State of Maryland—which are reported with the Northern Baptist Convention.
* Based on membership with age classification reported,
114
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
115
TABLE 1. — SUMMARY OF STATISTICS FOR CHURCHES IN URBAN AND RURAL
TERRITORY, 1936 — Continued
ITEM
Total
In urban
territory
In rural
territory
PERCENT OF
TOTAL
Urban
Eural
Summer vacation Bible schools :
Churches reporting, number
1,288
16, 194
122, 893
297
1,909
15, 606
80
872
8,924
457
9,074
69, 121
54
513
5,356
16
422
5,312
831
7,120
53, 772
243
1,396
10,250
64
450
3,612
35 5
56.0
56.2
18.2
26.9
34.3
a*
59.5
64.5
44.0
43.8
81.8
73.1
65.7
(?)
51.6
40.5
Officers and teachers
Scholars
Weekday religious schools :
Churches reporting, number
Officers and teachers
Scholars
Parochial schools :
Churches reporting, number „_ ...
Officers and teachers
Scholars _ -
3 Percent not shown where base is less than 100.
Comparative data, 1906-36. — Table 2 presents, in convenient form for com-
parison, a summary of the available statistics of the Southern Baptist Convention
for the census years 1936, 1926, 1916, and 1906.
TABLE 2. — COMPARATIVE STJMMARY, 1906 TO 1936
ITEM
1936
1926
19161
19061
Churches (local organizations) , nnmT)6r
a 13, 815
23, 374
23, 580
21, 075
Increase 3 over preceding census:
Number
-9,559
—206
2,505
11 Q
Percent
—40.9
2, 700, 155
3, 524, 378
2, 708, 870
2, 009, 471
Increase 3 over preceding census:
Number —
-824,223
815, 508
699, 399
0/4 O
Percent —
Average membership ptir church
—23.4
195
151
115
95
Church edifices, number
12, 742
21, 401
19, 770
18, 878
"Value TvujtVfopr r^po^ti^g - -
12,370
21, 128
19, 268
18, 672
Amount reported
$117, 766, 295
$173, 456, 965
$58,348,373
$34, 723, 882
Average value per church
$9,520
$8,210
$3,028
$1, 860
1,740
2,730
1,638
1,215
Amount reported -
$14,428,046
$22,986,982
$3, 153, 158
$1, 239, 022
2 378
Value— number reporting - -
2,320
3,429
1,820
1,271
$7, 986, 539
$15, 185, 725
$4,471,683
$2, 493, 091
Expenditures :
Churches reporting, number
13, 521
22,338
21, 078
<C"i K f)cq 743
Amount reported -
$19, 630, 844
$6,415,956
$1, 492, 748
Repairs and improvements
$1, 667, 276
Payment on churcli debt, excluding in-
$2,104,500
$32, 886, 565
All other current expenses, including
$3,685,265
Local relief and charity, Red Cross, etc.
Home missions.. -
$478, 158
$314, 074
1 d>n 7R1 fil K
$3 968 970
Foreign missions r—
To general headquarters for distribution
All other purposes
$2, 026, 624
$1,133,870
$256,383
$125, 704
Average expenditure per church
Sunday schools :
Churches reporting number - -
$1,452
12, 161
$1,921
19,882
$715
17,555
14,371
Officers and teachers -
192, 770
229,848
160, 171
Scholars
1, 664, 105
2, 345, 630
1, 665, 996
~" • ^*T^P>1
Qlfinnrlftr the]
name of Amer-
i Statistics for lyio ana lyuo inciuae ngures iur mo i^ua.vuw vi&u,^*.*^ »~~~ —
s A minus sign (— ) denotes decrease.
275318 — 41 9
116
CEN'S'IJS' OF RELIGIOUS BODIES, 1936
State tables. — Tables 3, 4, 5, and 6 present the statistics for the Southern
Baptist Convention by States. Table 3 gives for each State for 1936 the number
and membership of the churches classified according to their location in urban or
rural territory, membership classified by sex, and data for Sunday schools. Table
4 gives for selected States the number and membership of the churches for the
four census years 1906 to 1936, together with the membership for 1936 classified
as "under 13 years of age" and "13 years of age and over." Table 5 shows the
value of churches and parsonages and the amount of debt on church edifices for
1936. Table 6 presents, for 1936, the church expenditures, showing separately
current expenses, improvements, benevolences, etc. In order to avoid disclosing
the financial statistics of any individual church, separate presentation in tables
5 and 6 is limited to those States in which three or more churches reported value
and expenditures.
Ecclesiastical divisions. — Table 7 presents, for each association in the Southern
Baptist Convention, the more important statistical data for 1936 shown by States
in the preceding tables, including number of churches, membership, value and
debt on church edifices, expenditures, and Sunday schools.
TABLE 3. — NTJMBBK AND MEMBERSHIP OF CHXJECHES INT URBAN* AND RURAL
TERRITORY, MEMBERSHIP BY SEX, AND SUNDAY SCHOOLS, BY STATES, 1936
GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION AND STATE
NUMBER OF CHURCHES
NUMBER OF MEMBERS
Total
Urban
Eural
Total
Urban
Rural
United States
113,815
1,843
11,972
2,700,155
1,023,971
1,876,184
MIDDLE ATLANTIC:
Pennsylvania
1
2
3
371
1
1,024
6
64
783
12
1,479
673
1,255
440
1,225
1,194
1,267
860
479
444
542
1,606
1
75
8
1
1
2
302
50
214
373
49, 730
256
165,419
933
11,890
177, 196
3,072
289, 746
159, 887
265,630
87, 006
229, 216
226, 896
212, 855
150, 000
78,825
87,926
132,407
360,421
42
8,687
1,478
50
140
157
30, 561
EAST NORTH CENTRAL:
Ohio
1
1
69
1
121
3
31
95
5
160
79
172
100
117
157
123
81
61
65
104
278
1
14
4
74
216
19, 169
256
63, 163
605
9,033
68, 127
2,585
78,050
46, 915
102, 248
47, 287
70, 017
83,303
65,491
40, 214
33, 829
31,913
78, 511
178, 089
42
3,955
879
Indiana,.,
Illinois
Michigan
WEST NORTH CENTRAL:
Missouri .- .
903
3
33
688
7
1,319
594
1,083
340
1,108
1,037
1,144
779
418
379
438
1,328
102, 256
328
2,857
109,069
487
211, 696
112, 972
163, 382
39, 719
159, 199
143, 593
147, 364
109, 786
44, 996
56, 013
53, 896
182, 332
Kansas
SOUTH ATLANTIC:
Maryland
Virginia- ....
West Virginia-.
North Carolina
South Carolina
Georgia
Florida
EAST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Kentucky
Tennessee ., ..
Alabama
Mississippi
WEST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Arkansas
Louisiana ...
Oklahoma
Texas
MOUNTAIN:
Colorado _
New Mexico
61
4
4,732
599
Arizona
i Exclusive of statistics for 30 churches belonging to the Columbia Association— 24 in the District of
Columbia and 6 in the State of Maryland—which are reported with the Northern Baptist Convention,
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
117
TABLE 3. — NUMBER AND MEMBERSHIP OF CHURCHES IN URBAN AND RURAL
TERRITORY, MEMBERSHIP BY SEX, AND SUNDAY SCHOOLS, BY STATES, 1936 —
Continued
GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION AND STATE
MEMBERSHIP BY SEX
SUNDAY SCHOOLS
Male
Female
Sex not
reported
Males
per 100
females 2
Cnurches
reporting
Officers
and
teachers
Scholars
United States
, 071, Oil
,4S7,885
191,259
- .-—
74.5
12, 161
192,770
1,684,105
MIDDLE ATLANTIC:
Pennsylvania
20
91
163
17, 966
105
62, 592
350
4,083
74, 411
1,185
116, 780
68, 452
104, 187
33, 134
88,490
91, 153
82, 864
62, 237
31, 732
35, 432
48,549
142, 970
17
3,470
578
30
123
210
25,546
151
86, 579
583
6,044
95, 651
1,887
155, 199
86,237
139, 277
46, 127
122, 419
123, 140
112, 585
77, 741
43, 710
45, 576
69, 270
193, 709
25
5,166
900
1
2
3
341
1
907
5
62
746
9
1,399
637
1,003
377
1,023
1,094
1,067
667
425
393
497
1,428
1
61
7
11
30
27
4,558
29
14,191
82
1,441
13,749
223
22, 430
10,706
14,994
6,974
14,099
15, 012
14,020
7,942
6,438
5,475
10,947
28,282
11
960
139
68
343
399
32,979
190
105,461
585
9,524
124, 386
2,540
217,339
109, 746
132,923
58,864
128,131
133,021
112,736
64,434
49,810
46, 117
89,199
237,970
73
6,373
894
EAST NOBTH CENTRAL:
Ohio
74 0
77.6
70.3
69 5
72.3
60.0
67.6
77.8
62.8
75.2
79.4
74.8
71.8
72.3
74.0
73 6
80.1
72.6
77.7
70.1
73.8
Indi&na
Illinois -
6,218
Michigan
WEST NORTH CENTRAL:
Missouri
16, 248
TCan^?^
SOUTH ATLANTIC.
Maryland
1,763
7,134
Virginia
"YVost Virsinia
17, 767
5,198
22, 166
7,745
18,307
12, 603
17,406
10,022
3,383
6,918
14, 588
23, 742
South Carolina
Georgia
Florida
EAST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Kentucky _„ » -
Tennessee
Alabama _
Mississippi
WEST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Arkansas
Louisiana -
Oklahoma -
Texas
MOtTNTAIN:
Colorado
New Mexico
51
• 67.2
64.2
a Ratio not shown where number of females is less than 100.
118
GENS-US' OF RELIGIOUS BODIES, 1936
TABLE 4. — NUMBER AND MEMBERSHIP OF CHURCHES, 1906 TO 1936, AND MEM-
BERSHIP BY AGE IN 1936, BY STATES
[Separate presentation is limited to States having 3 or more churches in either 1936, 1926, or 1916]
GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION AND
STATE
NUMBER'OF CHURCHES
NUMBER OF MEMBERS
1936
1936
19161
19061
1936
1936
United States _.
EAST NOETH CENTRAL;
Indiana
2 13, 815
a
371
1,024
6
64
23, 374
6
546
1,764
5
95
2
1,139
13
2,321
1,170
2,468
719
1,919
1,845
2,083
1,515
860
766
961
3,038
127
10
2
23,580
21, 075
2, 700, 155
8, 524, 378
373
49, 730
165, 419
933
11, 890
473
59, 382
221, 690
532
17, 911
1,981
223, 270
3,563
385, 940
217, 104
400, 560
103, 135
305, 582
271, 921
271, 992
211,370
103, 346
117, 220
131, 139
465,274
9,570
1,301
122
Illinois
604
1,905
WEST NOETH CENTRAL:
Missouri ...
1,894
1
71
[Kansas
SOUTH ATLANTIC:
Maryland
84
5
1,055
11
2,137
1,093
2,408
683
1,835
1,718
1,993
1,436
1,409
602
1,108
3,358
135
District of Columbia
Virginia
783
12
1,479
673
1,255
440
1,225
1,194
1,267
860
479
444
542
1,606
75
8
35
1,028
11
1,837
979
2,157
548
1,701
1,615
1,907
1,346
1,415
609
854
3,098
4
177, 196
3,072
289, 746
159, 887
265, 630
87,006
229,216
226,896
212,855
150, 000
78, 825
87, 926
132,407
360,421
8,687
1,478
562
West Virginia
North Carolina
South Carolina
Georgia
Florida
EAST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Kentucky
Tennessee ..
Alabama..
Mississippi ..
WEST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Arkansas
Louisiana _ ,. , . ,,_,„.
Oklahoma.
Texas
MOUNTAIN:
New Mexico
Arizona
Other States
1
1 Statistics for 1916 and 1906 include figures for the churches organized since 191 6 under the name of American
Baptist Association.
2 Exclusive of statistics for 30 churches belonging to the Columbia Association— -24 in the District of Co
lumbia and 6 in the State ol Maryland — which are reported with the Northern Baptist Convention.
s Includes: Pennsylvania, 1; Ohio, 2; Michigan, 1; and Colorado, 1.
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
119
. — NUMBER AND MEMBERSHIP OF CHURCHES, 1906 TO 1936, AND MEM-
BERSHIP BY AGE IN 1936, BY STATES — Continued
TABLE
[Separate presentation is limited to States having 3 or more churches in either 1936, 1926, or 1916]
GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION AND
STATE
NUMBER OF MEMBERS—
continued
MEMBERSHIP BY AGE, 1936
19161
1906 ^
Under 13
years
13 years
and over
Age not
reported
Percent
under 13 *
United States
2, 708, 870
2, 009, 471
135, 152
2, 181, 625
367
38, 855
136, 843
889
9,744
383, 378
5.8
EAST NORTH CENTRAL:
Indiana
6
1,300
6,926
44
423
1.6
3.2
4.8
4.7
4.2
Illinois
62, 822
210, 889
9,575
21,650
WEST NORTH CENTRAL:
Missouri __ _
176,208
17
11,232
Kansas
SOUTH ATLANTIC:
Maryland .- .-
14, 650
2,767
170, 151
2,449
279, 112
158, 151
305, 055
57, 732
252, 554
202, 867
207, 603
153, 497
113, 192
66,298
87,028
355, 251
6,721
1,723
District of Columbia
Virginia..
136,062
1,672
202, 798
118, 360
232, 688
34, 646
211, 552
159, 838
162, 445
123, 357
91, 631
49, 620
49, 978
247, 306
61
8,187
173
13. 189
7,063
9,218
4,872
8,135
9,284
8,414
7,027
4,422
5,710
12, 303
27,468
887
90
11
141, 494
2,274
236, 958
134, 579
212, 750
72, 605
186, 417
183,281
174, 201
115,890
65, 738
71, 801
98, 367
289,216
7,539
1,316
501
27, 515
625
39, 599
18,245
43, 662
9,529
34,664
34,331
30,240
27,083
8,665
10, 415
21, 737
43, 737
261
72
50
5.5
7.1
5.3
5 0
4.2
6.3
4.2
4.8
4.6
5.7
6.3
7.4
11.1
8.7
10.5
6.4
2.1
West Virginia
North Carolina
South Carolina
Georgia
Florida
EAST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Kentucky
Tennessee
Alabama
Mississippi
WEST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Arkansas. _ -
Louisiana
Oklahoma
Texas ~
MOUNTAIN:
New Mexico
Arizona
Other States
81
i Statistics for 1916 and 1906 include figures for the churches organized since 1916 under the name of
American Baptist Association.
4 Based on membership with age classification reported.
120
OF' RELIGIOUS BODIES, 1936
TABLE 5. — VALUE OP CHURCHES AND PARSONAGES AND AMOUNT OF CHURCH
DEBT BY STATES, 1936
[Separate presentation is limited to States having 3 or more churches reporting value of edifices]
GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION
AND STATE
Total number of
churches
Number of church
edifices
VALUE OF CHURCH
EDIFICES
DEBT ON CHURCH
EDIFICES
VALUE OF
PARSONAGES
Churches
reporting
Amount
Churches
reporting
Amount
Churches
reporting
Amount
United States
U3,815
3
371
1,024
6
64
783
12
1,479
673
1,255
440
1,225
1,194
1,267
860
479
444
542
1.606
75
8
5
12,742
3
356
960
6
63
764
11
1,394
638
1,188
416
1,139
1,071
1,157
801
407
418
459
1,434
47
6
4
12,370
$117,766,285
1,740
$14, 428, 046
2,320
$7, 986, 539
EAST NOETH CENTRAL:
Indiana..-
3
348
923
6
62
744
11
1,359
617
1,168
406
1,135
1,041
1,121
771
399
399
445
1,375
47
6
34
5,700
1, 695, 480
8, 615, 303
42, 900
1, 648, 875
11,231,395
256, 500
12, 790, 370
6, 263, 642
11, 281, 731
4,988,974
9, 547, 685
8,619,208
7, 435, 569
4,831,228
3, 120, 759
2,572,170
5, 251, 573
17, 097, 453
376,480
78,500
14,800
1
41
109
2
29
133
2
186
65
101
104
123
136
114
64
68
52
123
269
14
4
2,100
152, 913
832, 273
150
213, 499
1,632,468
21, 939
1, 500, 843
545, 575
945, 461
899, 685
992, 340
1, 212, 335
859, 359
639, 784
344,058
193,745
764, 809
2, 603, 857
45, 453
25,400
IlMnois
39
119
100, 100
342, 928
WEST NORTH CENTRAL:
Missouri. . ...
Kansas
SOUTH ATLANTIC:
Maryland-
29
287
4
222
136
126
94
120
115
131
130
74
78
173
419
23
3
124, 000
1, 126, 526
30, 000
923,908
564,450
516, 550
417, 493
664, 250
426, 450
499,000
414, 950
201,941
212,463
347, 990
1, 134, 240
\ 239,300
Virginia
West Virrinia
North Carolina
South Carolina
Georsia- .. _
Florida
EAST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Kentucky __
Tennessee
AJahflma
Mississippi . .
WEST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Arkansas
Louisiana.
Oklahoma. _.
Texas
MOUNTAIN:
New Mexico
Arizona. .
Other States
1 Exclusive of statistics for 30 churches belonging to the Columbia Association— 24 in the District of Colum-
bia and 6 in the State of Maryland— which are reported with the Northern Baptist Convention.
2 Amount for Arizona combined with figures for New Mexico, to avoid disclosing the statistics of any
individual church.
3 Includes: Pennsylvania, 1; Ohio, 2; and Michigan, 1.
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
121
TABLE 6. — CHUKCH EXPENDITURES BY STATES, 1936
[Separate presentation is limited to States having 3 or more churches reporting
rnA4.Q'j
E]
STENDITURE
S
GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION AND STATE
number
of
churches
Churches
reporting
Total
amount
Pastors'
salaries
All other
salaries
Eepairs
and
improve-
ments
United States
1 13 815
13 521
$19 630 844
$6 415 956
$1 492 748
$1 867 276
EAST NORTH CENTRAL:
Indiana
3
3
3 291
1 150
203
203
Illinois . . -_ _ - --•
371
357
286 534
110 973
18 207
20 960
WEST NORTH CENTRAL:
Missouri _- -
1,024
996
1, 200, 811
445 409
113 179
82 279
Kansas
6
5
8 780
3 680
761
204
SOUTH ATLANTIC:
Maryland TT „
64
6)2
185, 008
64, 402
11, 379
9 484
Virginia
783
777
1, 783, 7S1
514, 471
130 263
120 448
West Virginia
12
11
48, 591
12,443
3,509
836
North Carolina
1,479
1,465
1, 995, 991
640 765
129, 914
191 113
South Carolina
673
669
1, 127, 821
393, 487
66, 256
129, 882
Georgia
1,255
1,218
1, 580, 553
493, 898
115, 650
218 213
Florida
440
435
877 235
286, 662
60 464
88 491
EAST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Kentucky _
1,225
1,190
1, 471, 564
494, 667
115, 473
134, 676
Tennessee
1,194
1,161
1, 590, 819
468, 753
122, 192
106 923
Alabama _
1,267
1,24S
1, 019, 099
365, 493
72,535
85,507
Mississippi
860
845
804,428
299,345
52, 430
64 597
WEST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Arkansas
479
464
578, 450
198, 100
43, 443
38, 596
Louisiana
444
439
596, 791
206, 286
49, 909
39, 486
Oklahoma - ._ __
542
522
1, 137, 364
353, 193
94, 318
121, 876
Texas
1,606
1,578
3, 203, 622
1, 008, 366
286, 695
203, 963
MOUNTAIN:
New Mexico
75
68
107, 252
43, 773
4,575
8,654
Arizona - - ~.
8
8
17, 318
7,007
1,113
505
Other States
5
*5
5,791
3,633
280
380
* Exclusive of statistics for 30 churches belonging to the Columbia Association— 24 in the District of Colum-
bia and 6 in the State of Maryland— which are reported with the Northern Baptist Convention.
2 Includes: Pennsylvania, 1; Ohio, 2; Michigan, 1; and Colorado, 1.
122
CENSUS1 OF RELIGIOUS BODIEiS, 1936
TABLE €. — CHURCH EXPENDITURES BY STATES, 1936 — Continued
[Separate presentation is limited to States having 3 or more churches reporting]
EXPEND]
TURES— CO
ntinued
GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION AND
STATE
Payment
on church
debt,
excluding
interest
Other
current
expenses,
including
interest
Local
relief
and
charity
Home
missions
Foreign
missions
To general
head-
quarters
AM other
purposes
TTaited States
$2 104 500
$8, 685, 285
$478, 158
S314, 074
S812, 373
82, 026, 624
$1, 133, 870
EAST NOETH CENTRAL:
Indiana
433
934
5
26
19
196
122
Illinois
36, 628
46, 440
8,711
4,397
3,001
20, 842
16, 375
WEST NOETH CENTRAL:
Missouri - -
71, 039
284, 072
19, 014
24, 869
17, 475
77, 338
66, 137
Kansas . -
1,320
1,697
99
4
786
229
SOUTH ATLANTIC:
Maryland
13 300
45, 337
3,280
1,184
2,479
19, 232
14, 931
Virginia
271 411
331 491
39 453
17, 975
21, 333
276, 123
60 763
West Virginia
6,996
9,900
556
50
206
6,998
7,197
North. Carolina
199 260
360 842
69 441
26, 090
37, 211
205 983
135, 372
South Carolina
105, 396
168, 448
30, 944
9,056
11, 259
161, 025
52, 068
Georgia « -
126, 904
288, 807
52, 060
30, 547
35, 599
132, 718
86, 157
Florida
101 486
143, 297
17, 958
8,713
8,274
104, 443
57, 447
EAST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Kentucky
191 413
235 685
35 370
19, 829
21, 056
166, 961
56, 434
Tennessee
187 538
337, 151
36, 980
26, 183
23, 901
203, 380
77, 818
Alabam a „ , m m ,
84, 084
184, 400
32, 863
16, 054
12, 740
90, 713
74, 710
Mississippi
81, 928
135, 753
24, 968
12, 231
10, 892
77, 065
45, 219
WEST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Arkansas
61, 540
110, 176
11, 995
8,428
19, 849
49, 306
37, 017
[Louisiana
48, 475
114, 121
10, 835
9,957
8,273
73, 090
36, 359
OVIahnmn
113 495
217, 309
19, 777
24, 116
15, 184
101, 063
77, 033
Texas
395, 339
642, 038
62, 060
70, 247
62, 045
248, 060
224, 809
MOUNTAIN:
New Mexico
4,450
23, 884
1,159
3,839
1,328
9,370
6,220
Arizona
2 065
2,925
435
189
152
1,781
1,146
Other States
558
195
90
97
251
307
TABLE 7. — NUMBER AND MEMBERSHIP OF CHURCHES, VALUE AND DEBT ON
CHURCH EDIFICES, EXPENDITURES, AND SUNDAY SCHOOLS, BY ASSOCIATIONS,
1936
ASSOCIATION
Total number of
churches
1
"3
1
a
d
VALUE OF
CHURCH EDIFICES
f DEBT ON
' f CHURCH
EDIFICES
EXPENDITURES
SUNDAY
SCHOOLS
Churches
reporting
Amount
Churches
reporting
Amount
Churches
reporting
Amount
Churches
reporting
Scholars
Total
1 13, 815
12
14
4
13
14
20
7
62
29
9
2, 700, 155
12, 370
$117,766,295
1,740
814,428,046
18, 521
$19,630,844
12, 161
1, 664, 105
Alabama:
Alabama - Cren-
shaw
1,403
1,629
551
1,673
1,608
3,087
701
25,284
3,789
951
12
9
4
13
12
17
6
54
21
9
34,950
45,700
4,900
30, 125
25,200
44,496
25,900
2,056,669
61,775
50.250
1
2
55
3,590
12
14
4
13
13
19
7
62
28
8
4,859
10, 347
2,477
5,914
4,201
8,612
5,232
186, 518
10, 481
4.852
8
13
3
12
12
18
5
60
22
4
483
1,056
237
76S
651
1,233
574
16,627
1,894
324
Baldwin
Barbour
Bethel
2
1
2
1
16
1
1,575
2,000
1,123
160
255, 790
14, 000
Bethlehem
Bibb
Bigbee
Birmingham
Blount
Bullock • Centen-
nial
i Exclusive of statistics forjSO churches belonging to the Columbia Association— 24 in the District of
Columbia and 6 in the State of Maryland— which are reported with the Northern Baptist Convention.
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
123
TABLE 7. — NUMBEB AND MEMBERSHIP OF CHURCHES, VALUE AND DEBT ON
CHURCH EDIFICES, EXPENDITURES, AND SUNDAY SCHOOLS, BY ASSOCIATIONS,
1936 — Continued
ASSOCIATION
Total number of
churches
1
&
1
*8
1
fc
VALUE OF
CHURCH EDIFICES
DEBT ON
CHURCH
EDIFICES
EXPENDITURES
SUNDAY
SCHOOLS
Churches
reporting
Amount
Churches
reporting
Amount
Churches
reporting
!
Churches
reporting
Scholars
Alabama — Con.
Butler
29
18
36
18
9
18
23
11
18
7
16
20
20
14
26
12
22
22
52
17
35
16
16
11
23
21
8
16
1
8
13
13
12
19
11
27
5
20
15
27
12
14
20
10
8
15
12
32
17
15
12
6
6
24
B
3,458
2,160
6,349
2,712
921
1,819
3,791
805
2,450
571
1,809
3,118
3,166
2,446
5,893
1,582
4,828
5,063
7,553
2,464
4,858
3,753
2,676
1,822
6,008
2,425
959
2,457
153
1,229
1,189
1,615
984
3,454
1,459
4,448
334
6,668
8,649
5,036
1,504
1,585
2,135
903
553
2,704
1,957
3,814
3,337
1,649
1,470
743
723
2,981
352
27
17
32
15
8
18
23
9
15
6
14
17
18
14
24
11
20
18
44
16
30
12
14
8
20
18
6
14
1
8
11
11
12
15
9
22
5
19
15
27
9
12
20
9
6
14
12
32
16
13
11
6
6
19
5
$96, 500
109,099
177, 150
60, 575
15, 700
31, 400
39, 760
9,150
34, 785
3,800
17, 700
26,400
94,450
137,450
224, 250
62, 550
145, 800
185, 650
123, 255
18, 615
90,250
89,700
103, 158
95, 000
323, 540
78, 650
10,400
34, 025
(2>
22,700
53, 600
23, 660
13, 000
102,950
22,000
87,000
3,800
366, 169
466, 055
233,700
12, 300
12, 790
33,120
18,450
6,000
67, 637
83,800
54, 710
91,050
18,500
10,650
24,300
5,560
46, 785
5,050
2
3
1
$27, 500
14, 841
650
29
18
34
18
9
17
23
11
16
7
16
20
20
14
26
12
22
22
52
17
34
16
16
11
23
21
8
16
1
8
13
12
12
19
10
26
5
20
13
27
12
14
19
10
8
15
12
30
16
14
12
6
6
23
r
$14, 529
11, 739
26, 579
6,838
2,232
7,393
7,329
2,013
5,046
807
2,392
4,710
8,371
19, 652
31,286
5,158
38, 516
26, 980
25, 812
3,823
14, 726
16, 591
14,932
11,483
42, 332
8,694
4,617
6,822
(2)
2,169
5,222
5,750
1,687
13, 186
5,203
12, 175
437
55, 403
64, 290
40, 766
1,906
1,752
7,464
5,344
1,860
9,062
11, 339
9,792
23, 522
4,094
23
14
34
17
8
16
22
9
11
5
13
15
16
10
24
7
20
19
45
14
30
13
15
9
22
19
7
11
1
8
10
in
11
18
10
25
4
19
10
27
10
10
17
6
6
14
10
26
9
14
1,823
1,349
3,758
963
410
1,083
1,822
363
821
186
722
1,160
1,232
1,935
3,068
551
2,644
1,924
4,059
777
2,682
1,873
1,726
799
3,988
1,269
477
892
130
420
638
991
734
1,911
1,186
2,170
214
4,732
4,390
2,897
566
597
999
389
268
1,246
911
1,912
1,610
1,025
204
683
353
1,489
143
Cahaba
Calhoun
Carey
Central
Cherokee
Chilton
2
1,029
Choctaw
Clarke
1
480
Clay
Clear Creek
2
1
3
5
1
1
4
1
1
2
2
1
235
400
468
34, 680
70,000
50
8,935
17, 000
17
191
2,590
14,000
Cleburne
Coffee
Colbert - Lauder-
dale
Columbia
Conecuh
Coosa River. _.
Covington
Cullman
Dale .
DeKalb
East Liberty
Elmore
Escambia
2
5
2
1
3
20, 040
68,892
8,500
300
546
Etowah _
Fayette
Franklin
Geneva
Indian Creek
Judson
1
2
1
260
12,000
93
Lamar
Limestone
Lookout Moun-
tain
Madison - Liber-
ty
2
2
2
4,550
2,500
145
Marion.,
Marshall
*!Mjneral Springs
Mobile
7
1
4
1
1
94, 405
23, 375
60,190
110
300
Montgomery
Morgan
Mud Creek
Muscle Shoals
Pickens
Pine Barren
Pleasant Grove—
Randolph
1
17
Russell
1
2
1
8,000
1,243
238
St. Clair .
Salem-Troy
Sand Mountain..
Sardis
1,341
9,817
739
12, 170
415
^
Selma
6
6
H
Shady Grove
Shelby
1
700
Sfosey
2 Amount included in figures on the line designated "Combinations," to avoid disclosing the statistics
of any individual church.
124
CENSUS OF RELIGIOUS BODIES, 1936
TABLE 7. — NUMBER AND MEMBERSHIP OP CHURCHES, VALUE AND DEBT ON
CHURCH EDIFICES, EXPENDITURES, AND SUNDAY SCHOOLS, BY ASSOCIATIONS,
1936 — Continued
ASSOCIATION
Total number of
churches
1
"8
1
%
VALUE OF
CHURCH EDIFICES
DEBT ON
CHURCH
EDIFICES
EXPENDITURES
SUNDAY
SCHOOLS
Churches
reporting
Amount
Churches
reporting
Amount
Churches
reporting
Amount
Churches
reporting
Scholars
Alabama— Con.
Sulphur Springs..
Tallapoosa
15
13
22
26
10
17
32
15
1
8
9
23
11
7
10
28
10
11
15
4
15
16
23
8
7
16
4
8
7
6
21
13
14
7
14
5
13
20
1
29
15
14
12
9
9
12
10
12
7
4
1
1,723
2,160
2,519
7,056
1,225
3,592
3,656
1,117
20
1,478
1,112
4,164
1,542
554
1,513
2,322
631
1,613
2,280
482
3,019
1,496
9,624
918
1,043
1,933
338
1,049
748
984
3,352
4,539
3,670
662
4,160
565
2,337
3,763
226
4,193
1,195
4,489
1,231
485
617
2,081
1,672
1,496
454
241
50
13
9
17
25
10
17
27
13
1
6
8
20
10
6
8
21
8
9
13
4
13
11
21
4
7
14
3
8
7
6
20
11
13
7
11
3
9
15
1
24
11
13
12
6
4
12
8
9
5
3
1
$14,400
47, 650
35, 900
431, 201
47, 300
93,500
49, 155
14, 050
(2)
78,500
64,600
84, 775
56, 030
3,000
80, 000
45, 000
16, 650
55, 350
65, 650
26, 800
82,900
40, 150
520, 700
43, 100
16,600
74, 300
43, 000
17,460
12, 000
37,400
133, 750
238, 100
220, 900
9,250
255, 244
3,700
90, 950
136, 200
(2)
201, 800
33, 650
137,880
12, 920
4,200
6,250
106, 500
66,150
37, 600
5,650
4,300
(a)
i
$21
15
13
21
26
10
17
31
14
1
8
9
23
11
6
10
26
10
11
15
4
15
16
22
8
7
16
4
8
6
5
21
13
14
7
14
4
13
19
1
28
14
14
12
9
9
12
10
11
5
2
1
$2,078
12. 627
8,184
41,419
7,125
12,429
11,081
2,143
(3)
17, 318
10, 266
16, 146
7,085
1,010
10, 471
12, 189
2,507
9,892
11, 935
4,261
19,898
10, 804
61,451
8,489
6,818
11,075
6,241
4,496
2,193
7,060
17,563
54, 596
38, 051
6,335
46,544
1,134
15, 939
32,425
(2)
34,347
8,807
37, 326
3,600
1,096
2,132
24,891
11,268
8,031
2,950
8
14
19
25
10
17
29
8
1
7
7
21
10
7
9
25
7
11
13
4
15
14
22
7
7
15
4
8
7
0
18
12
13
6
13
2
13
19
1
25
12
12
11
4
7
12
9
11
5
2
1
770
874
1,550
3.855
636
1,682
2,251
348
28
894
819
2,034
1,164
384
903
1, 555
440
990
1,384
345
2,541
975
5,752
740
730
1,398
270
575
436
713
2,251
2,353
2,204
425
1, 702
160
1,399
2,555
215
2,873
1,035
3, 346
762
194
428
1,476
988
841
279
186
50
Tennessee River..
Tuscaloosa
2
6
1,575
74, 875
Tuskegee
Unity
Walker
3
5,125
Washington
Unassociated
Arizona:
General Conven-
tion .
4
3
4
25,400
4,448
"""3,116
Arkansas:
Arkansas Valley..
Bartholomew
Benton
Big Creek
Black River
Buckner __ ..
2
1,700
Caddo River
Carey -
3
1
9,278
88
Caroline
Carroll
Central
2
4
9
1
4,750
818
95,627
13, 000
Clear Creek
Concord
Crooked Creek...
Current River
Dardanelle-Rus-
sellville
1
2
1
1
2
2
4
1
600
12,025
113
1,000
375
14, 290
74,441
6,000
Delta ._
Faulkner
Fourche Valley. „
Gainesville
Greene ..
Harmony
Hope
Independence
Liberty
Little Red River.
Little River
3
1
1
3
3
6
1
1
11, 550
14, 500
(2)
10, 565
1,450
41,055
600
100
Mississippi
Monroe
Mount £ion
Ouachlta
Pulaski ...
Red River
Rocky Bayou
Stone Van Buren
Tri-County
2
3
1
9,000
3,275
6,300
Washington
White — -
White River
Woodruff
Unassociated
2 Amount included in figures on the line designated "Combinations," to avoid disclosing the statis-
tics of any individual church*
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
125
TABLE 7. — NUMBER AND MEMBERSHIP OF CHURCHES, VALUE AND DEBT ON
CHURCH EDIFICES, EXPENDITURES, AND SUNDAY SCHOOLS, BY ASSOCIATIONS,
1936 — Continued
ASSOCIATION
Total number of
churches
M
1
O
1
VALUE OF
CHURCH EDIFICES
DEBT ON
CHURCH
EDIFICES
EXPENDITURES
SUNDAY
SCHOOLS
Jj?
pts
sa
gg
1
|
11
*•* o
sJ a
•3 £
O
"fl
11
(I 5
3 a,
A g
o
a
D
o
a
<!
1!
H
OM
<w
,0?
'o
Florida:
Alachua -
8
9
8
14
8
7
16
8
21
22
10
9
18
35
23
13
7
7
14
7
14
12
12
17
4
19
28
11
13
15
16
10
5
15
40
10
12
16
10
16
9
12
14
6
21
16
9
13
18
12
9
17
7
17
13
12
4
5
955
1,505
433
3,797
784
970
1, 503
2,115
4,205
4,913
937
1,460
2,734
11,513
3,040
1,261
1,227
540
2,674
455
2,615
3,713
3,389
2,115
439
4,32/3
8,791
1,992
1,760
1,674
6,078
2,296
803
2,576
33, 734
976
1,929
2,720
1,759
2,750
1,413
2,679
1,187
756
6,958
2,319
767
1,638
3,615
2,271
1,538
3,587
657
2,119
2,111
1,292
464
355
8
9
7
12
4
7
15
8
21
22
8
9
18
31
22
12
6
5
13
6
11
11
11
17
4
18
25
11
13
13
15
9
5
15
37
10
12
16
9
15
9
12
13
4
19
15
7
13
17
11
8
16
5
17
13
12
3
3
$40, 250
100, 800
6,200
235, 124
5,720
39, 300
20, 725
106, 300
227, 900
146, 595
13,360
209,000
155,000
962, 026
106, 750
15, 100
97, 600
3,710
78,300
30, 700
161,450
190, 560
385, 000
81, 000
4,050
314,343
276, 636
137,000
157. 150
43; 325
356,450
260, 500
21,050
79, 300
2,475,042
15,800
87, 366
75,400
67,000
34,750
14,050
108, 938
29,950
5,133
283,150
42, 155
2,885
14,208
523,450
22,400
11,600
71, 059
2,400
34, 200
50,800
43,000
1,550
3,600
1
1
$2,500
7,500
8
9
7
13
8
7
16
8
20
21
10
9
19
35
23
13
7
7
14
7
14
12
12
17
3
19
28
11
13
15
16
9
5
15
39
10
12
16
10
16
9
11
14
6
20
16
5
13
18
12
9
17
6
17
13
12
3
4
$5, 552
11, 363
1,419
35, 657
787
2,940
3,605
27, 365
25, 518
45, 951
3,254
23, 190
29, 723
164, 8S9
17, 770
7,127
21,837
1,324
17, 807
3,562
17, 862
35, 703
98, 572
14, 512
563
36,443
66,232
21,922
25, 496
6,954
64, 992
32, 733
4,761
14,563
418,951
2,197
8,269
14,024
7,717
3,834
5,769
15, 755
5,375
745
41, 217
9,158
306
3,658
46, 510
4,692
2,746
20,938
445
6,283
6,311
6,203
94
1,489
8
7
5
13
e
14
15
20
g
9
17
34
17
7
6
6
12
6
13
12
11
15
3
17
27
10
12
11
16
10
3
13
40
3
9
12
8
16
9
9
11
3
19
16
7
12
13
12
8
17
3
13
7
7
518
607
197
2,783
297
337
886
2,016
2,849
3,644
219
1,231
1,691
10,064
1,377
659
1,078
254
1,669
416
1,445
3,076
2,673
1,276
180
3,214
4,973
1,386
1,216
685
4,171
1,382
395
1,210
24,963
110
1,161
1,254
1,064
884
987
1,528
987
120
3,460
1,651
250
725
2,770
965
631
2,244
115
862
727
501
Beulah
Black Creek
Florida
5
1
1
3
4
2
10
1
4
2
16
1
2
2
1
1
1
2
3
4
2
1
5
8
4
5
29, 250
25
50
142
26, 350
100
14, 074
4,000
33, 519
1,330
172, 850
17, 400
179
30, 745
18
200
6,000
31,390
21, 305
75, 900
7,800
400
14,970
43, 275
22,690
49, 650
Graves
Harmony
Holmes "
Indian River
Jackson ,
Jacksonville
Lafayette
Lake
Marion -.
Miami
Middle Florida, ..
New River
Northwest Coast,
Okaloosa
Orange Blossom..
Pasco . .
Peace River
Pensacola Bay
Pinellas
Santa Fe River— .
Santa Rosa
Southern Florida.
Southwest Florida.
St. Johns River...
Suwannee
Tampa Bay
6
4
1
257, 973
26,200
1,800
Wekiwa
West Florida
Georgia:
Appalachee
Atlanta -
20
2
487, 555
80
Baptist Union
BenHUl-Irwin...
Bethel .
1
2,500
Carroll ton
Catoosa
1
100
Central
Central Western,
Chattahoochee...
Chattooga
2
1
19,000
886
Chestatee
Colquitt
1
4
13
12, 370
Columbus , ... ,
Concord
Consolation
Coosa
1
1
1
1
475
5
2,400
500
Coosawattee
Daniel
Dodge
Ebenezer
Ellijay
2
83
126
CENSUS1 OE RELIGIOUS BODIES, 1936
TABLE 7. — NUMBER AND MEMBERSHIP OF CHURCHES, VALUE AND DEBT ON
CHURCH EDIFICES, EXPENDITURES, AND SUNDAY SCHOOLS, BY ASSOCIATIONS,
1936— Continued
ASSOCIATION
Total number of
churches
Number of members
VALUE OF
CHUECH EDIFICES
DEBT ON
CHUECH
EDIFICES
EXPENDITURES
SUNDAY
SCHOOLS
11
*•* o
6
11
25
18
17
32
5
8
8
9
10
9
22
24
7
23
13
11
16
9
14
11
8
10
6
12
11
11
17
12
2
8
15
6
8
12
8
11
4
14
24
11
12
31
9
13
8
10
8
10
24
9
32
14
7
12
12
|
<
®fl
A ^
o *
I
If
»
1
11
S S
S p,
-ag
0M
1
CQ
Georgia—Con.
Enon
6
13
28
21
18
33
5
9
9
9
12
10
23
25
7
24
13
16
16
10
14
13
10
10
6
13
11
11
18
13
2
9
15
7
8
14
11
11
4
14
26
12
13
32
9
15
9
11
8
11
27
9
33
15
7
15
13
876
2,776
5,839
5,093
3,076
5,674
573
1,018
1,642
1,682
2,245
1,524
5,831
9,482
1,020
5,215
1,495
2,752
2,845
1,721
3,065
2,328
1,573
1,472
439
3,111
1,582
1,358
3,037
3,212
372
1,253
2,557
814
1,121
2,655
1,503
4,600
486
4,883
5,099
1,288
2,216
4,332
1,106
2,484
1,470
1,880
1,081
1,411
10,602
1,254
8,793
1,973
1,346
2,540
1,725
$5,200
77, 750
241, 800
196, 145
135, 050
217, 150
4,400
9,050
72, 810
66, 500
47, 400
9,700
112, 418
1, 398, 240
6,600
36, 900
37, 900
14, 950
64, 200
65, 100
55, 800
40, 500
12, 100
18, 375
9,550
187,975
16,200
44,300
117, 700
84,400
64, 000
59, 020
18, 400
46, 700
13, 650
7,625
673,000
2,000
253, 750
82, 800
6,600
73, 020
222, 285
38, 800
18, 200
6,500
40,700
34,850
36,500
530,082
13,400
456,300
26,800
13,400
57,450
47.350
1
$15
6
13
28
21
18
33
4
7
9
9
11
10
23
25
6
23
12
16
16
10
14
13
9
10
5
13
10
11
18
13
2
9
14
6
8
14
10
11
4
13
25
11
13
32
9
13
5
10
8
10
27
9
33
15
6
15
12
$848
7,764
37, 077
30, 499
18, 942
26, 060
312
1,237
8,400
6,673
6,643
3,367
14, 922
69, 900
1,030
5,045
5,156
1,706
15, 044
7,245
10, 858
7,346
3,745
2,799
5,137
20,027
2,464
9,808
16,029
7,638
6,575
8,068
2,257
4,863
2,335
1,434
59, 723
178
46, 716
13, 330
811
13, 103
29,350
5,428
3,293
399
5,573
6,243
3,538
84,463
2,565
46,453
6,153
1,914
11, 334
7.690
5
13
24
18
13
32
2
4
8
5
12
4
21
23
5
15
11
3
15
8
13
13
9
7
5
11
5
6
16
13
1
8
11
5
7
9
4
9
4
13
24
10
12
26
9
13
318
1,504
2,743
2,359
1,223
2,990
180
180
786
713
1,400
305
2,071
5,730
360
1,164
601
160
1,151
690
1,375
1,153
508
526
236
1,761
368
574
1,441
1,221
85
611
1,218
390
575
557
210
2,791
309
2,623
2,353
537
1,160
2,759
689
979
Fairburn
Flint River
1
3
1
1
4,000
9,500
2,500
5,000
Floyd
Friendship
Georgia
Gflmer-Fannin- . .
Good Samaritan..
Gordon
Grady
Habersham
2
1,235
Haralson
Hebron
1
5
3,500
95, 360
Hephzibah
Hiawassee
Hightower
1
75
Houston
Jasper
Kflpatriek
Kimbell
1
2
1,000
12, 150
Laurens
Lawrence ville
Liberty
1
166
Little River
Lookout Valley—
Mallary
1
2
2,000
29,500
Mell
Mercer
1
85
Middle
Middle Cherokee.
Miller
1
21
Morgan
Morganton
2
1
2
6,403
2,900
2,485
Mountaintown, . _
Mount Vernon.__
Mulberry
New Hope.-
1
1
70
72,000
New Sunbury
New Union
Noonday
2
2
4,200
470
North Georgia
Notla River
Ogeechee River.. _
Piedmont
1
8
18,000
29,972
Pine Mountain....
Pleasant Grove-
Pleasant Valley. .
Polk .
1
450
10
6
9
25
9
30
11
6
10
8
975
519
625
5,412
592
3,899
732
500
1,525
731
Pulaski-Bleckley.
Rabun.^ ..„
Rehoboth
5
31,050
Roswell
Sarepta
3
1
47,000
7,000
Smyrna. .
South River
Stone Mountain..
Summerhill
2
222
'Amount included in figures on the line designated "Combinations," to avoid disclosing the statistics
of any individual church.
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
127
TABLE 7.— NUMBER AND MEMBEESHIP OP CHURCHES, VALUE AND DEBT ON
CHURCH EDIFICES, EXPENDITURES, AND SUNDAY SCHOOLS, BY ASSOCIATIONS,
1 936 — Continued
ASSOCIATION
Total number of
churches
i
rQ
|
*0
1
£
VALUE OF
CHURCH EDIFICES
DEBT ON
CHURCH
EDIFICES
EXPENDITURES
SUNDAY
SCHOOLS
Churches
reporting
Amount
Churches
reporting
Amount
Churches
reporting
Amount
Churches
reporting
I
Georgia— Con.
Tallapoosa.
1C
<
2(
15
18
30
1,844
1,518
951
9
{
8
U
13
17
29
4
$20, 000
49,000
12, 300
58, 100
46,650
98, 150
6,300
188, 150
73,450
365,400
3,700
10, 100
5,500
11,200
(2)
144,055
228, 500
85, 400
136,950
58,050
19,700
67,029
17, 000
247, 450
9,600
33,000
61,250
48,946
244,350
55, 100
GO
77,300
34,000
93,500
(3)
25,700
41, 550
36,000
69,060
168, 350
94, 300
11,900
177,000
119,700
18,000
195, 750
58,000
130,300
373, 500
118,800
149, 900
;
$73
7,600
10
i
9
2(
15
18
28
4
4
6
1
31
16
18
31
12
9
20
14
25
5
9
30
21
24
24
2
18
10
20
1
2
15
5
29
30
9
13
26
10
13
18
9
19
16
8
18
$3, 154
7,167
2,135
21, 495
6,406
34, 254
1,270
41 604
8
t
5
5
2(
12
17
21
/
6
4
4
1
30
16
18
28
12
8
20
14
24
4
7
28
21
24
23
2
17
10
20
1
2
10
5
17
29
8
10
24
9
10
18
8
19
16
7
15
552
694
400
1,188
619
2,591
90
2,101
1,365
4,673
155
309
108
148
70
2,524
5,780
1,673
3,078
1,154
469
1,277
605
3,200
213
50J
1,277
1,481
3,421
937
68
1,412
837
2,437
35
315
871
716
1,235
3,194
913
535
2,661
1,401
913
1,354
568
2,222
4,290
1,018
2,328
Tattnall-Evans
Telfair
Thomas
2,417
1,802
5,032
857
3,436
2,719
7,861
464
".
10, 000
Tucker
Tugalo.
*
2,500
Turner
Valdosta
1
11,000
Washington
13 701
Western _„
]
50
25
191
72, 470
796
2,386
539
1,051
23,220
55, 108
12, 070
24, 475
9,024
3,915
13,848
4,865
31, 924
2,437
4,318
7,263
14, 105
24,438
5,413
(*)
13,310
7,436
25,003
(2)
(2)
6,609
6,928
9,916
23, 459
12, 648
2,872
26, 922
14, 282
4,667
22, 761
7,743
24, 161
57, 810
16, 271
31, 568
White
Illinois:
Antioch _
{
1
32
16
21
31
12
9
22
14
27
5
9
30
21
24
25
2
19
10
21
1
3
15
5
29
31
9
14
26
10
15
19
9
19
16
8
18
330
146
666
101
4,741
5,515
3,434
5,193
1,319
812
1,999
1,145
3,991
602
717
2,303
2,458
4,477
2,754
111
2,272
1,137
3,507
41
613
2,255
1,449
4,999
4,624
1,709
1,672
4,326
1,954
1,689
2,251
1,338
3,604
4,762
2,377
4.168
Bay Creek
Big Saline. .
8
1
28
14
20
29
12
9
20
13
25
4
8
30
20
24
24
2
17
10
19
1
3
14
4
26
15
8
14
25
10
15
18
9
19
16
8
17
1
400
Central Illinois. _.
Clear Creek
9
1
*i
13,454
58, 805
700
1,600
5,025
East St. Louis
Fairfield _.
Franklin
Kaskaskia...
Louisville
Macoupin
2
4,175
Mount Erie
Nine Mile
4
50, 304
Olney __
Palestine
1
3
c
I
I
62
1,375
5,300
1,200
684
Rehoboth
Salem South
Saline
Sandy Creek.
Shelby
Union.
2
6,242
Westfield
Williamson,
3
3,396
Indiana:
Palestine
Kansas:
Spring River
Kentucky:
Allen
Baptist
1
3
2
1
2,100
2,289
40, 450
3,500
Barren River
Bell
Bethel
Blackford
Blood River
Boone's Creek
Booneville
1
2
2
2
1
2
5
1
2
6,945
2,250
900
3,323
10,000
14,406
61, 530
11,500
4,032
Bracken
Breckenridge
Caldwell
Campbell..
Central . .
Christian
2 Amount included in figures on the line designated "Combinations," to avoid disclosing the statistics
of any individual church.
128
OF RELIGIOUS BODIES, 1936
TABLE 7. — HTJMBEB AND MEMBERSHIP OF CHURCHES, VALUE AND DEBT ON
CHTJRCH EDIFICES, EXPENDITURES, AND SUNDAY SCHOOLS, BY ASSOCIATIONS,
1936 — Continued
ASSOCIATION
Total number of
churches
Number of members
VALUE OF
CHURCH EDIFICES
DEBT ON
CHURCH
EDIFICES
EXPENDITURES
SUNDAY
SCHOOLS
Churches
reporting
Amount
Churches
reporting
Amount
Churches
reporting
Amount
Churches
reporting
Scholars
Kentucky—Con.
Crittenden -.
11
36
18
e
14
13
1C
3
15
11
9
20
17
26
i
1,658
8,087
1,097
2,784
820
422
6,738
1,376
3,784
489
1,126
2,781
797
1,086
4,452
1,365
2,813
373
1,735
634
1,356
3,404
4,730
2,032
4,094
2,419
2,224
27,949
4,397
2,283
439
5,190
4,719
3,426
5,937
944
4,770
2,620
3,131
211
2,334
3,385
594
1,048
2,233
1,185
2,604
3,918
2,015
1,094
3,390
603
1,791
1,987
2,569
10
35
6
16
6
2
14
13
10
7
2
15
c
9
18
7
23
6
7
4
10
27
24
14
23
14
15
49
19
19
3
21
28
13
16
6
28
26
22
3
11
25
3
14
18
11
14
12
7
5
14
5
13
10
12
$58,500
434, 065
12,500
35, 750
10,000
(2)
461,890
71,600
144, 575
7,975
(2)
36, 750
3,100
46, 500
271,200
7,500
177, 282
16, 190
94, 500
3,700
9,600
77,915
83, 850
44,950
130,700
37, 100
32, 500
2, 198, 395
48, 300
28,500
2,000
387,800
73, 300
116,350
486,000
9,500
99, 000
44,413
89, 650
23, 250
58,600
83,950
3,200
20,036
26, 100
20, 200
111, 100
85, 525
48,975
3,900
135, 100
10,100
9,774
97, 800
101,800
1
4
1
1
$5,000
11, 250
600
100
11
36
7
17
6
2
14
13
10
6
3
15
11
8
20
14
22
5
7
4
13
28
24
15
23
16
15
49
20
20
3
22
29
17
17
9
30
24
22
2
12
26
4
15
19
12
14
13
7
6
13
5
11
11
13
$9, 093
67, 743
3,367
5,342
882
(2)
66, 656
11, 690
27,164
835
10, 954
3,868
506
4,710
26, 297
915
32, 678
336
10, 405
566
2,414
10,416
20,522
8,960
22, 440
8,387
4, 564
370,015
9,967
3,495
173
34,940
8,372
18, 112
58,663
456
17,003
7,195
15, 445
(2)
10, 062
10, 694
458
3,882
3,832
3,554
13, 250
20, 606
9,482
575
24, 071
2,301
650
9,949
10, 945
10
36
7
15
4
2
14
13
8
5
3
12
3
8
19
3
21
2
6
4
5
22
18
15
18
13
13
48
16
15
3
20
28
17
15
2
24
19
20
1
11
26
3
15
15
9
13
13
7
6
14
4
9
10
13
917
5,134
472
1,676
220
215
4,204
1,032
2,512
255
769
855
138
637
2,192
166
2,690
145
774
188
190
1,661
1,757
1,474
2,289
797
823
20,271
1,528
1,021
125
3,277
2,230
1,733
4,185
226
1,936
1,117
1,704
34
879
2,387
200
1,027
782
517
1,470
1,699
895
280
1,822
272
595
964
1,740
Daviess-McLean-
3Sast Lynn , -
East Union
Edmonson
Elkhora No. 1
Elkhora No. 2,__.
Enterprise
3
1
1
15,103
750
23,000
Franklin
Freedom
Friendship
Gasper River
Goose Creek
Goshen -
Graves - ~.
2
1
106, 782
82
21, 780
Green River
Greenup--
Greenville
Henry - _.
1
3,650
Irvine
Jackson
13
28
25
15
23
16
15
49
20
20
2?
29
17
17
9
31
27
23
3
12
26
4
15
20
12
14
13
7
7
14
5
16
11
13
Laurel Kiver
Liberty
3
2
1,758
1,775
Lincoln
Little Bethel
Little River
6
1
12,864
115
Logan
Long Run
25
1
1
455, 554
75
24
Lynn
Lynn Camp
McCreary
Mount ZJion
4
1
37,725
5,300
Muhlenburg -
Nelson
North Bend _~ ,_
B
58, 751
North Concord. .-
Ohio
i
1
2
150
500
2,208
Ohio River ,
Ohio Valley . .
Old Bethel
Owen
Pulaski
2
13, 625
Rockcastle
Hussell
Russell Creek, .„_
Salem. -_ ._
1
100
Severns Valley—-
Shelby
1
10, 500
Simpson
South Concord,.-
South District
South Kentucky.
South Union
Sulphur Fork
Tates Creek
1
13
1
12, 666
1 Amount included in figures on the line designated "Combinations,'
tics of any individual church.
to avoid disclosing the statis-
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
129
TABLE 7. — NUMBER AND MEMBERSHIP OF CHURCHES, VALUE AND DEBT ON
CHURCH EDIFICES, EXPENDITURES, AND SUNDAY SCHOOLS, BY ASSOCIATIONS,
1936 — Continued
ASSOCIATION
Total number of
churches
Number of members
VALUE OF
CHURCH EDIFICES
DEBT ON
CHUECH
EDIFICES
EXPENDITURES
SUNDAY
SCHOOLS
ta „«
sf
|
II
P ft
g£
1
I
If
t-4 O
sa
& S
O
I
|
II
I»
I
o
Kentucky— Con.
Ten Mile -
8
15
11
18
21
18
24
28
9
16
12
6
11
18
4
13
14
6
15
6
7
16
21
11
14
15
13
7
10
11
3
19
15
16
10
19
18
8
19
6
10
11
18
8
13
5
20
12
7
7
6
12
1
1,336
1,331
1,212
3,906
4,583
2,998
3,493
5,532
1,414
2,046
1,416
856
2,056
2,540
691
2,760
3,601
1,628
9,972
1,216
649
3,808
2,990
2,983
1,534
1,483
1,626
2,030
1,510
2,857
586
6,053
2,500
1,729
3,355
2,781
2,366
2,083
2,146
525
1,075
2,258
2,181
2,890
3,246
1,900
5,945
962
1,022
1,155
442
2,364
256
7
8
10
13
21
18
22
27
9
14
11
6
9
16
4
13
14
6
14
6
7
16
16
10
13
14
11
6
8
fi
15
13
16
9
19
16
6
16
4
10
11
16
8
10
20
11
7
6
11
1
$27,000
25, 900
39, 200
243, 550
321, 400
47,640
88, 575
180, 900
21, 300
110, 175
13, 200
12, 715
25,625
50, 630
7,700
59,850
85,864
26, 700
494, 930
31, 650
38, 300
51,700
46, 350
19, 620
27,975
29,800
9,250
76,000
37,000
199, 100
4,000
279, 155
57, 900
18,875
241,050
40,926
41,290
7,300
15,750
2,850
15,030
66, 750
13, 760
64,200
160, 500
88,700
1,082,500
87, 750
82, 500
166,425
21, 700
208, 000
1
3
1
3
2
$575
2,360
78
1,900
5,382
8
15
11
18
21
18
24
28
9
16
12
6
11
17
4
13
14
6
15
6
7
16
19
11
14
15
13
7
10
11
3
19
15
16
10
19
18
8
18
5
10
11
18
8
13
5
20
13
6
11
$4,053
8,825
8,378
51, 983
30, 783
5,185
16,481
41, 337
6,234
21, 105
3,883
5,489
11,369
12, 552
856
18,449
25,008
12,664
119,619
8,656
7,107
18, 393
10, 796
9,907
3,416
7,541
11,057
22,426
5,519
27,475
938
56, 754
15, 118
4,665
45,902
11, 952
11,534
4,481
5,842
689
3,567
12,932
4,894
21, 962
22, 831
9,443
110,338
10, 473
8,688
17, 202
7,714
30, 593
(*)
8
15
10
16
17
13
22
27
9
14
9
6
10
15
4
13
14
6
13
6
5
16
15
10
9
14
9
7
9
11
3
16
15
15
10
19
13
8
18
4
10
11
12
8
12
4
20
11
5
12
617
1,799
578
3,281
2,139
1,166
1,985
3,781
783
1,404
611
563
1,199
1,092
362
1,751
2,085
1,264
5,211
660
516
1,809
1,283
1,372
528
721
857
1,530
649
1,254
127
3,378
1,416
796
2,103
1,441
1,175
696
1,027
207
634
1,339
596
1,746
1,899
816
4,437
980
846
899
531
1,831
190
Three Porks
Union __ _
Upper Cumber-
Warren... .
Wayne
West Kentucky. .
West Union
3
3
1
1
1
1
3
72
19, 594
120
4,800
800
110
6,850
Whites Run
Louisiana:
Acadia
Amite River
Ascension
Bayou Macon
B eanregs rd
Bienville
1
3
1
5
2
1
2
3
50
1,199
500
53, 600
3,564
700
9,100
1,181
Big Creek
Bossier .. _
Caddo
C aid well
Carey
Concord
Deer Creek
Eastern Louisiana
Everett
1
84
Grand Cane
Jackson
1
3
145
4,140
Judson
Liberty
Louisiana
2
13, 450
Miagee's Creek
Morehouse-
Ouachita __ _
4
2
36, 591
1,810
Mount Olive
New Orleans
8
43, 801
North Sabine
Ouachita
Red River
Sabine
1
24
Shady Grove
St. Tammany
Tangipahoa
1
4
100
9,619
"Vernon
Washington
1
1,527
Webster
"Winn
Maryland:
Baltimore
13
2
S
4
2
6
114,323
12,447
7,650
53, 738
6,400
18, 941
Eastern. _
Northern
Seneca
Southern
Western
Michigan:
Franklin
* Amount included in figures on the line designated "Combinations," to avoid disclosing the statistics
any individual church.
130
OF RELIGIOUS BODIES, 1936
TABLE 7. — NUMBER AND MEMBERSHIP OF CHURCHES, VALUE AND DEBT ON
CHURCH EDIFICES, EXPENDITURES, AND SUNDAY SCHOOLS, BY ASSOCIATIONS,
1936— Continued
ASSOCIATION
Total number of
chinches
Number of members
VALUE OF
CHURCH EDIFICES
DEBT ON
CHURCH
EDIFICES
EXPENDITURES
SUNDAY
SCHOOLS
II
P
!*
|
^
|I
5a
g£
-s
I
•<
11
^ S
3 ft
gg
o
a
•«
I!
J-i o
i*
l
'o
ft
s
Mississippi*
Alcorn
9
6
7
24
10
8
14
11
5
4
6
21
8
10
18
1
9
10
17
10
14
8
14
10
19
8
17
9
22
9
14
22
22
2
6
15
4
12
11
9
10
11
12
17
3
11
3
8
11
11
22
7
9
13
lin figi
1 churcl
1,000
651
1,154
3,377
1,418
1,787
1,740
1,237
686
505
1,154
5,055
1,750
1,511
2,785
251
1,381
969
2,675
9,561
1,511
842
944
1,448
1,900
4,698
926
2,432
1,096
6,309
1,788
1,551
7,858
4,642
476
679
2,647
950
2,728
1,255
1,550
1,597
1,641
1,026
2,283
109
2,334
165
942
2,070
1,227
3,723
539
816
4,957
ires on th
i.
8
6
5
22
7
7
10
10
4
3
5
19
8
9
17
$23, 850
18, 485
35, 500
41, 385
11, 400
62, 750
30, 457
28,100
3,300
8,000
15,800
174, 989
12, 195
89, 600
115, 475
2
2
1
$1, 100
2,865
1,000
8
6
5
23
10
8
14
11
4
6
21
8
10
18
1
9
5
10
17
9
12
8
14
10
19
7
17
9
22
9
14
22
22
2
6
15
4
12
11
9
10
10
12
17
3
11
2
7
11
11
22
7
9
13
' to a
$1, 780
1,874
9,242
7,919
1,666
11, 590
5,642
4,541
2,032
5,407
4,253
30, 271
3,365
15, 215
17, 677
(3)
6,108
12, 120
19, 376
98, 861
14, 462
1,282
7,051
7,765
4,425
27, 371
4,044
10, 147
2,062
46, 924
7,905
7,007
65, 009
32,583
(2)
828
5,568
8,942
13, 593
3,699
6,756
7,781
2,450
1,460
17,412
390
11, 617
(2)
1,233
12, 467
4,797
16,455
716
2,341
31,407
7oid disclc
7
S
6
15
6
12
8
2
6
18
6
9
16
1
9
2
10
15
8
8
8
12
7
17
12
6
19
9
9
21
IS
2
4
14
4
10
5
9
8
4
6
13
3
8
1
3
8
9
21
1
6
13
sing t
293
75
709
1,124
359
649
759
494
129
262
457
1,933
550
798
1,232
70
589
84
1,854
5,318
609
312
620
615
420
2,284
292
882
348
3,550
950
686
4,479
2,348
264
122
1,021
452
1,597
259
684
821
199
232
1,199
38
1,114
96
141
913
437
2,111
71
253
2,220
he s tat Is-
Benton
Bolivar
Calhoun
Carroll
Chickasaw
1
55
Ottoctaw
Clarke
Clay
Coldwater
1
1
3
500
5,000
27, 613
Columbus _
Copiah
Covington
Deer Creek
1
2
3,500
24,630
Franklin
George
Greene
9
5
10
15
10
13
8
10
10
19
6
14
8
21
9
13
21
21
2
6
13
4
11
9
8
9
10
10
16
1
9
3
6
10
9
21
6
8
13
e line
19, 200
53, 300
183, 900
905, 300
87, 950
10, 306
19, 100
22, 300
18, 000
158, 650
17, 300
55, 955
10, 600
368, 226
17, 600
34, 675
275, 325
215, 100
(2)
6,450
34, 650
51, 000
54, 200
20, 500
14, 375
72, 700
34, 750
7,800
48, 700
(3)
74, 700
11, 100
7,100
87,900
20,550
89, 050
5,700
7,600
188, 450
designated
1
700
Grenada
Gulf Coast
3
4
1
1
1
47, 180
224, 500
7,500
108
900
Hinds- Warren
Holmes
Itawarnba...
Jackson. _ _
Jasper
Jefferson Davis—
Jones _
2
20, 680
Kemper
Koscmsko
Lafayette
Lauderdale
3
46,000
Lawrence
Leake ...
1
3
3
1
8,500
23, 233
6, 915
(*)
Lebanon
Lee
Leflore
Liberty
Lincoln
1
1
3,000
3,500
Madison
Marion
Marshall
Mississippi
Monroe
Montgomery
Mount Pisgah
Neshoba
1
7,000
New Choctaw
Newton
2
18, 050
Noxubee-Choc-
taw
Oktibbeha
Oktibbena Coun-
ty
1
2
1
4,000
760
12, 500
Panola
Pearl River .
Pearl Valley
Perry
Pike
2
'Con
63, 656
ibinations,
2 Amount includec
tics of any individua
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
131
TABLE 7* — NUMBER AND MEMBERSHIP OF CHURCHES, VALUE AND DEBT ON
CHURCH EDIFICES, EXPENDITURES, AND SUNDAY SCHOOLS, BY ASSOCIATIONS,
1936 — Continued
o
o
fll
1
VA
CHT7RC
JLTTE OP
H EDIFICES
DI
ca
an
5BT ON
BEUECH
DIFICES
EZPE]
STDITUEES
str
SCI
NDAY
IOOL3
ASSOCIATION
P) H
-1
c3
0
^
Number of
^Churches
reporting
4-S
!
Churches
reporting
Amount
Churches
reporting
Amount
Churches
reporting
*o
Mississippi — Con.
Pontotoc
15
3,147
13
$15, 800
1
$8
15
$6, 050
12
1,043
Prentiss
8
1,677
7
41, 750
8
6,166
8
639
Rankin
16
2,124
14
21 350
16
6,489
15
994
Riverside
9
1,900
8
178, 175
3
28, 000
8
24, 505
6
419
Scott
13
1 798
13
29, 650
13
8,627
11
886
Simpson __..
27
4,972
27
72,400
2
5,025
27
17, 170
21
1,665
Smith
20
3,062
20
39, 300
19
5,872
13
849
Sunflower _ _ _
9
1,452
7
89, 190
2
5,887
9
14, 467
9
884
Tallahatchie
5
470
5
5,655
5
1,148
4
203
Tate
9
736
8
19, 450
1
350
9
3,210
8
361
Tippah
17
2,923
14
53, 465
?,
85
17
10, 928
13
1,250
Tishrvmingn
15
1,122
15
15, 110
15
1,567
11
443
Union
4
377
4
28,500
1
1,500
4
1,896
4
222
Union County
Walthall
17
2,710
859
14
4
25, 400
10,500
1
1,000
17
4
4,487
1,873
13
3
633
359
Wayne
13
1,169
9
19, 425
13
4,217
11
596
Winston
12
2,041
9
47, 050
11
9,388
9
696
Yalobusha
13
1,784
10
25, 300
1
50
12
8,011
9
880
Yazoo
8
1,313
7
81, 850
1
28, 000
8
8,535
6
444
Zion
19
2,102
19
25, 610
19
4,554
12
743
Missouri:
Audrain
10
1,433
10
63,300
10
7,076
8
757
Barry
17
1,793
13
15, 600
17
4,540
9
602
Barton
4
227
4
8,000
1
800
4
751
4
146
Bear Creek
7
746
7
30, 300
1
850
7
6,951
4
277
Benton
8
585
7
22, 800
8
4,222
7
397
Bethel
19
3,803
19
232, 078
3
15, 370
19
31, 102
17
3,190
Black River
12
1,110
11
38, 600
2
3,919
12
7,030
10
894
Blue River
23
5,059
23
271, 336
5
11, 736
22
48, 640
23
3,742
"Riir}?ois0
5
557
4
11, 200
5
1,209
5
218
Butler
15
1,999
13
84, 150
3
9,130
15
14, 065
15
1,324
Caldwell-Ray
Callaway
10
11
1,797
1,831
10
11
52, 000
81, 600
2
1,190
10
10
6,391
10,828
10
11
1,128
1,007
namcifvn
15
1,614
11
19, 314
1
65
14
2,611
8
539
Cane Creek
14
2,110
12
56,225
2
935
12
10, 718
12
1,583
Cape Girardeau...
Cedar
8
6
2,176
475
8
6
169, 300
6,150
3
80, 392
8
6
21, 466
785
8
6
1,382
183
Charleston
11
1,575
8
78,500
2
2,525
11
14, 939
13
1,177
Cherokee
1
15
1
09
1
C2)
1
10
Christian
11
1,146
8
20,750
11
2,838
10
596
Clay
14
2,688
12
176, 200
2
600
14
20, 584
13
1,604
Clinton
282
2
(a)
2
(3)
2
252
Concord
26
5,115
25
234,000
2
6,750
26-
29,767
24
3,037
Cuivre
11
1,26C
11
36,800
1
750
11
6,536
8
560
Dade
e
692
5
10,200
3,035
5
300
Dallas
4
1,004
2
(2)
4
3,22C
5
378
K
718
5
30, 800
5
3,743
g
396
Dent
7
1,074
4
43, 500
1,121
6
482
Dixon
7
955
16,025
7
3, 36$
t
429
Eleven Points
River
380
K
7,800
5
2,317
±
218
Franklin
21
4,110
17
143, 150
3
15, 450
20
21, 485
20
2,773
Franklin County.
15
1
J.HB
13
40, 012
3
8,300
14
1
12, 193
(3)
1:
1,344
40
/T.p i_v
11
1,830
11
55, 750
10
7,689
i:
887
Greene
28
4,987
27
156, 100
j
12,290
26
27,366
26
3,105
TTarTnn-ny
10
2,174
10
108, 800
2
19,940
10
17, 511
9
1,018
2 Amount included m figures on the line designated "Combinations/* to avoid disclosing the statis-
tics of any individual church.
275318—41-
-10
132
CENSUS OF RELIGIOUS BODIES, 1936
TABLE 7. — NUMBEK AND MEMBERSHIP OF CHURCHES, VALUE AND DEBT ON
CHURCH EDIFICES, EXPENDITURES, AND SUNDAY SCHOOLS, BY ASSOCIATIONS,
1936— Continued
ASSOCIATION
Total number of
churches
Number of members
VALUE OF
CHURCH EDIFICES
DEBT ON
CHURCH
EDIFICES
EXPENDITURES
SUNDAY
SCHOOLS
sl
gs
"d
d
II
P
d a
"2
o
o
a
If
fl
|
la
i!
0*
(5
Missouri— Con.
Howell
5
11
11
24
10
10
14
15
9
11
11
14
10
12
14
7
6
17
7
15
16
19
10
14
6
7
13
9
4
14
24
14
8
12
10
23
27
12
15
7
21
23
5
8
14
14
12
15
4
15
17
442
1,514
1,408
11, 767
1,446
1,866
2,017
2,695
1,314
2,251
1,077
2,449
746
1,811
2,196
574
864
3,449
339
1,686
1,872
2,982
685
1,722
507
942
1,332
1,074
659
1,179
3,602
1,927
683
1,300
1,363
4,126
15, 416
1,874
2,103
534
2,087
4,084
731
446
3,109
1,437
693
1,841
153
1,592
2,545
5
11
11
22
9
9
12
14
9
9
11
13
7
12
12
R
e
14
7
14
16
15
8
, 14
6
13
6
n
11
23
13
6
10
10
22
25
10
15
6
21
19
5
5
12
11
8
14
4
15
17
$15, 700
47, 060
56, 500
1, 060, 568
46, 900
83, 250
89, 900
50, 550
79, 000
228. 950
25, 250
109, 100
27, 150
53, 100
103, 600
14, 000
13, 650
122, 900
13, 100
84, 300
84, 700
75, 640
16, 500
48, 800
14, 500
50, 200
14, 150
38. 300
28, 850
78, 800
31, 550
7,800
36, 450
21, 925
211, 250
2, 374, 000
39, 100
124, 350
6,000
54,900
159, 000
48, 500
6,750
111, 100
20, 100
9,300
49, 550
4,550
49, 700
118, 170
4
11
11
24
10
10
14
14
9
11
11
12
10
12
14
7
5
15
6
15
16
19
9
14
6
7
13
9
4
12
24
14
7
11
10
23
27
12
15
7
21
23
5
8
14
13
10
15
4
15
17
$3, 151
11, 993
7,213
176, 145
7,185
13, 579
10, 360
15, 073
6,963
25, 976
3,235
17, 860
3,495
9,119
12, 285
1,741
2,566
20, 782
976
10, 698
15, 294
18, 796
2,008
5,125
1,165
5,472
2,738
9,192
3,255
4,114
11, 775
7,389
2,738
3,601
4,076
33, 485
230, 530
13,995
12, 869
1,936
9,006
22,744
7,134
1,878
19,402
5,008
1,242
6,240
528
8,003
11, 228
3
9
9
24
8
10
13
14
9
9
11
12
8
12
14
6
5
13
6
12
15
19
8
11
5
7
11
7
2
12
20
13
6
10
10
21
26
11
14
6
20
21
4
7
14
11
7
15
4
13
16
294
1,030
. 687
13, 996
695
1,410
1,257
1,618
1,094
973
652
1,313
516
890
1,506
194
379
1,805
201
785
922
1,991
372
652
235
845
422
870
267
676
1,409
1,122
390
656
797
2,491
10, 218
1,083
1,162
367
1,494
2,972
548
311
1,636
817
290
881
101
857
1,337
Jefferson
1
$5, 400
Johnson
Kansas City
17
1
308, 701
4,004
Laclede .
Lafayette
Lamine
1
4,110
I/awrence
Linn
Little Bonne
1
41, 500
Livingston
Macon
1
3,200
]V£eramec
MiUer
1
1
500
2,950
Missouri Valley. .
Monroe
Mount Moriah. . _
Mount Pleasant-
Mount Salem
Mount Zion
1
900
Nevada
4
4
1,765
3,367
New Madrid
North Central
North Grand
River
1
550
North Missouri...
Northwest Mis-
souri
1
1,271
Old Path
Phelps
Platte
Pleasant Grove...
Polk.
2
1
1
1
9,230
572
25
300
Pulaski .
Reynolds
St. Glair
St Francois
St. Joseph __
5
16
17, 575
215, 594
St. Louis
Saline
Salt River
Shannon
Shoal Creek
Spring River
Stoddard
1
1
347
4,500
Stone
Tebo
1
1,270
Texas
Wayne
Webster.. .
1
7,500
West Fork
Wright
1
2
4,250
1,900
Wyaconda i
3 Amount included in figures on the line designated "Combinations," to avoid disclosing the statistics
of any Individual church.
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
133
TABLE 7. — NUMBEK AND MEMBEKSHIP OF CHURCHES, VALUE AND DEBT ON
CHURCH EDIFICES, EXPENDITURES, AND SUNDAY SCHOOLS, BY ASSOCIATIONS,
1936— Continued
ASSOCIATION
Total number of
churches
Number of members
VALUE OF
CHURCH EDIFICES
DEBT ON
CHURCH
EDIFICES
EXPENDITURES
SUNDAY
SCHOOLS
3gj>
•§!
^ o
sg
o^
1
1
$9
l!
o M
1
o
a
-4
la
sl
g =
8
7
14
6
18
5
7
4
17
9
4
29
20
16
12
15
19
16
13
15
27
13
10
27
26
30
15
2
17
4
22
7
23
6
16
25
26
22
20
24
28
19
18
19
17
14
17
34
9
11
33
9
18
cd
53
O
1
II
fl
53 ft
-a ®
0
"o
1
New Mexico:
Central
11
7
14
6
20
5
7
6
17
9
4
30
20
16
12
15
19
16
13
17
27
14
10
28
26
30
15
2
17
4
22
7
23
6
16
25
26
22
20
24
28
19
18
19
17
14
17
34
9
12
33
10
18
1,126
630
1,476
987
2,570
568
743
629
2,941
436
439
2,498
2,794
1,633
2,463
1,751
2,523
3,222
1,723
3,073
8,056
1,247
3,398
5, 382
4,342
5,428
2,783
430
4,621
147
6,661
659
3,325
993
4,203
3,896
8,254
3,887
3,007
3,752
9,886
4,965
5,269
2,837
5,276
2,421
1,833
11, 461
1,535
1,411
6,165
725
3,826
8
4
9
5
10
3
5
3
16
9
3
28
19
15
10
15
19
16
13
17
27
12
10
26
24
25
14
2
16
3
21
7
22
6
16
21
23
21
18
21
28
17
15
14
16
12
16
33
9
10
32
9
16
$66, 500
19, 500
96, 150
51,800
65, 675
7,875
29,280
39, 700
35, 600
21, 600
3,830
38, 000
136, 200
24,990
49, 700
27, 100
47, 700
40, 900
22,450
115, 200
564, 607
20, 500
195, 600
321, 672
108, 150
147, 575
102, 027
(»>
131, 350
1,920
346, 300
5,900
63, 750
13, 150
88,300
65, 700
384,400
113, 625
122,900
167, 900
516, 136
228, 125
222, 800
38,448
534, 225
34,000
37, 300
863, 977
28, 457
15, 800
223,650
32,500
245, 308
4
1
4
$21, 127
4,100
14, 420
$13,779
11, 319
18, 222
8,901
26, 109
7,866
11, 091
11, 095
5,656
1,456
1,853
3,083
25,445
3,598
17, 031
7,512
12, 996
3,454
6,079
14, 164
69, 183
2,498
33, 443
43, 284
21, 279
26, 239
22, 078
(2)
20,061
774
46,094
1,829
14, 300
2,331
13,624
15, 174
90,697
15,422
17,209
30,222
74, 579
43,892
30,023
4,793
80,223
8,578
7,711
138, 576
10,890
2,423
36,297
3,952
35,584
8
6
12
5
17
5
6
3
16
8
3
23
17
15
11
12
18
14
13
16
27
13
10
28
25
28
15
2
16
4
22
7
22
6
15
22
26
22
20
23
28
19
18
17
16
10
16
34
8
10
31
18
863
463
1,228
725
1,616
388
595
568
1,525
367
180
1,367
1,898
1,288
1,805
1,097
2,206
1,456
1,217
1,954
5,933
972
3,472
4,764
3,577
3,821
2,892
132
2,493
176
4,003
592
2,399
964
1,859
2,629
8,127
2,324
2,985
2,939
7,329
4,502
3,932
1,595
4,767
1,151
1,316
9,448
1,082
640
4,398
410
2,843
Lincoln
Northeastern
Pecos Valley
Portales
2
1,556
Southeastern
Southwestern
Tucumcari
1
2
950
3,300
North Carolina:
Alexander
Alleghany
Anson
Ashe
1
2
48
4,111
Atlantic
Avery
Beulah
1
1
1
300
700
520
Bladen
Blue Ridge
Brier Creek
Brunswick ._
1
3
4
2
3
11
3
2
2
15
1,574
327, 550
150
7,637
42, 479
1,870
3,200
1,050
Brushy Mountain-
Buncombe
Burnt Swamp
(Indian)
Cabarrus
C aid well
Cape Fear-Co-
lumbus
Carolina ._
Catawba River-
Cedar Grove
Central
1
2
2
1
2
1
1
1
11
3
4
1
5
3
2
500
21
50, 000
84
1,150
490
1,000
45
55, 475
8,656
5,310
1.150
43, 085
1,533
1,075
Cherokee Indian.
C ho wan
Dock
Eastern _ .
Elkin
Flat River
French Broad
Gaston
Green River
Hay wood
Johnston
Kings Mountain .
Liberty
Little River
!M!acon
Mecklenburg
Mitchell
5
128, 800
Montgomery
Mount Zion _
Neuse
1
6
1
1
1
1
124
101, 384
1,161
60
800
300
5,670
New Found
New South River.
Pamlico
Pee Dee _
a Amount included in figures on the line designated "Combinations," to avoid disclosing the statistics
of any individual church*
134
OF RELIGIOUS BODIES, 1936
TABLE 7. — NUMBER AND MEMBERSHIP OF CHTTBCHES, VALUE AND DEBT ON
CHURCH EDIFICES, EXPENDITURES, AND SUNDAY SCHOOLS, BY ASSOCIATIONS,
1936 — Continued
ASSOCIATION
Total number of
churches
Number of members
VALUE OF
CHURCH EDIFICES
DEBT ON
CHURCH
EDIFICES
EXPENDITURES
SUNDAY
SCHOOLS
Churches
reporting
Amount
Churches
reporting
Amount
Churches
reporting
Amount
Churches
reporting
1
"o
•8
03
7,214
10, 924
5,726
1,693
6,256
6,608
4,200
3,196
6,664
5,300
942
3,137
3,138
877
739
3,124
4,449
2,374
3,521
1,471
2,439
3,157
5,615
720
1,741
2,650
2,095
843
60
60
285
3,469
1, 105
2,385
1,147
2,566
427
3,359
71
48
2,594
2,598
2,982
2,842
1,857
703
982
2,874
731
2 i4n
North Carolina-
Continued.
Piedmont -
24
53
22
19
36
41
16
34
33
32
9
19
24
14
9
23
34
26
28
14
25
23
35
15
22
23
17
11
1
1
6
16
10
25
7
12
14
19
E
6
18
17
16
20
23
7
15
17
12
23
6,801
14, 383
7,129
1,953
7,328
8,002
4,099
4,697
9,389
6,018
1,243
4,199
3,922
1,320
996
3,892
7,728
2,809
4,487
2,261
3,120
4,501
9,418
1,427
2,962
4,095
3,148
1,356
104
140
321
6,107
2,559
4,076
1,503
3.580
1,155
5,046
143
60
4,516
4,380
3,975
4,133
2,450
962
1,433
4,253
716
2.782
23
50
21
17
36
34
16
33
32
32
8
17
21
12
7
21
28
18
26
12
18
22
34
14
19
22
16
11
1
1
3
14
10
18
6
10
12
14
4
3
14
15
12
17
14
6
12
16
6
20
$253, 700
1, 447, 261
426, 727
48, 010
360, 750
258, 443
239, 100
199, 250
321,840
418. 906
17, 150
124,851
122, 248
17, 375
9,700
149, 750
324, 980
30, 607
168, 800
66,500
68, 400
144, 400
416, 800
14, 700
86, 950
407, 500
61, 250
39, 400
0
C2)
4,000
279, 570
135, 600
61, 375
35, 400
127, 644
9,280
303, 000
1,680
1,350
136, 900
121, 150
236, 050
281,075
94, 200
26, 800
15, 100
188, 875
14, 050
48. 475
5
13
3
3
6
2
7
4
6
9
2
3
6
$5,491
347, 335
42, 900
2,853
14,684
4,800
24,941
18, 725
60, 579
35,450
85
12, 696
28, 627
24
53
21
19
36
41
16
34
33
32
9
19
24
13
8
23
34
26
28
14
24
23
35
14
22
22
17
11
1
1
5
15
10
24
7
12
13
17
5
6
18
16
16
20
22
7
12
17
12
22
$88, 721
158, 861
52, 969
13, 060
60, 209
56,698
42, 894
26, 116
47, 219
59, 516
2,857
34, 769
14, 859
2,940
1,820
26, 793
43,804
6,899
20, 175
10,886
7,118
22,846
65, 598
1,952
7,996
41, 217
10, 696
2,951
(2)
Cz)
1,160
54,415
25, 196
19, 683
13, 759
37, 660
1,024
33,899
717
337
50, 013
25, 355
53, 766
46, 221
14, 222
4,193
7,136
21, 277
6,316
16. 225
24
52
17
16
34
41
16
32
31
29
9
18
23
13
9
23
33
25
28
13
22
23
35
13
22
22
14
11
1
1
6
14
8
22
6
11
13
16
3
4
16
16
14
18
20
7
12
17
12
OS
Pilot Mountain. _
Raleigh
Randolph
Roanoke
Robeson ._ ...
Rowan ...
Sandy Creek
Sandy Run _
South Fork
South Mountain..
South Yadkin....
Stanley _
Stone Mountain,.
Stony Fork
Surry - --
4
4,533
Tar River
Tennessee River..
Three Forks _
3
1
1
2
6
1
2
3
28,400
6,000
40
5,631
39, 096
28
15, 350
4,153
Transylvania
Tuckaseigee -
Union
West Chowan
West Liberty
Western North
Carolina
Wilmington
Yadkin
Yancey
Unassociated
Ohio:
Ohio Valley
Oklahoma:
Atoka
Banner
5
5
44, 573
44, 840
"Rp.cTrham
Bryan
Caddo
2
4
1
4
4,731
32, 950
3
11,080
Central
Cherokee Indian..
Chickasaw Union.
Chickasha Indian,
Choctaw-Chicka-
saw (Indian)...
Comanehe-Cot-
ton
3
3
7
5
3
1
24,000
12,044
36, 216
40, 463
6,700
150
Concord-KIowa
Delaware-Osage. .
Enon
Frisco
Harmon .
Haskell
Jackson-Oreer
Latimer
4
1
2
16, 250
500
1.380
Lenore
3 Amount included in figures on the line designated "Combinations," to avoid disclosing the statistics
of any individual church.
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
135
TABLE 7. — NUMBER AND MEMBERSHIP OF CHURCHES, VALUE AND DEBT ON
CHURCH EDIFICES, EXPENDITURES, AND SUNDAY SCHOOLS, BY ASSOCIATIONS,
1936 — Continued
ASSOCIATION
Total number of
churches
Number of members
VALUE OF
CHTJECH EDIFICES
DEBT ON
CHURCH
EDIFICES
EXPENDITURES
SUNDAY
SCHOOLS
Churches
reporting
Amount
Churches
reporting
Amount
Churches
reporting
Amount
Churches
reporting
Scholars
Oklahoma—Con.
Mclntosh
1
6
10
31
3
9
17
12
19
4
4
13
17
24
16
29
11
11
18
1
1
16
14
149
690
3,249
6,556
185
4,844
3,660
1,680
16, 896
453
41
1,635
6,838
6,702
3,407
6,859
1,728
2,479
9,008
1,500
50
3,316
3,438
3,513
4,632
8,276
1,924
5,356
2,373
4,431
2,298
2,360
645
7,081
2,820
13, 553
2,169
3,668
2,611
405
3,488
8,546
8,717
2,162
2,968
1,112
4,450
1,363
2,074
1
6
10
31
3
9
16
12
19
4
3
12
16
24
13
29
11
11
17
1
1
16
14
19
27
33
18
19
11
26
18
12
18
9
33
12
22
11
i
14
31
24
(2)
$5,041
28, 998
51, 322
1,151
51, 530
29, 100
14, 983
181,962
1,237
107
14. 315
67, 358
67, 595
23, 320
57, 487
19,063
17,475
60,952
(2)
(2)
21, 198
18,849
27, 762
19, 586
44,002
6,488
57, 301
18,495
15, 407
13, 764
11, 118
1,954
84, 890
25, 501
120, 387
9,790
22,086
11, 013
1,150
24,509
52, 391
47,632
10, 835
16, 792
2,132
25,465
10, 742
6,121
66,684
31,695
1
6
10
30
3
9
16
9
19
4
3
13
17
23
14
26
11
9
18
75
370
1,884
4,323
157
3,750
2,750
1,252
10, 133
171
30
1,140
6,104
4,459
2,439
4,823
1,408
1,441
7,540
Mills
4
9
24
3
9
15
11
16
4
3
12
15
22
11
28
11
10
15
$21, 600
100, 635
242, 822
4,500
190, 000
114, 800
59, 400
648,010
7,100
2,050
59, 000
439, 550
441, 150
115, 950
266, 825
52,807
140,250
240, 750
1
3
6
1
3
1
1
9
$3, 000
9,443
55, 025
34
22, 300
8,000
250
109, 277
Mullins
Muskogee. _-
Muskogee-Semi-
nole- Wichita. ._
North Canadian..
Northeastern
Northwestern
Oklahoma
Oklahoma Indian .
Old Choctaw and
Chickasaw
Panhandle
4
8
7
2
12
2
4
11
9,750
66, 145
51, 607
14, 800
50, 325
590
30, 142
64, 391
Pawnee Creek
Perry
Pittsburg _ __ .
Pottawatomie-
Lincoln
Salt Fork Valley.
Tillman..
Tulsa Rogers
Unassociated
Pennsylvania:
Northern
1
16
14
19
25
28
16
18
11
26
17
11
17
30
11
21
11
3
13
29
23
15
15
5
13
t
29
12
(3)
139,650
116, 750
130, 500
120, 050
136,500
28,450
397,575
144, 150
103,600
42, 818
67, 500
16,000
552, 200
123, 500
528, 348
66,050
143, 000
31,600
8,000
141,300
224, 150
267, 500
96,500
104,900
6,300
72,200
35,000
27, 700
308,775
119,000
1
15
13
18
25
31
18
19
11
25
17
12
6
17
9
33
11
21
11
4
14
30
22
14
17
)
2(
&
68
2,549
2,034
2,164
2,945
5,340
1,860
3,791
1,869
2,632
1,457
1,129
355
6,089
2,259
10,357
1,023
2,484
1,581
266
2,463
5,815
5,249
1,359
2, 225
388
3,242
873
869
8T334
2,291
South Carolina:
Abbeville
Aiken
1
e
]
1
3
1,790
1,700
9,783
1,000
50
127, 271
Barnwell
19
27
33
18
20
11
Beaverdam
Broad River
Carolina
Charleston
Chester
Chesterfield
26
18
12
18
9
33
12
22
1]
Colleton .
1
1
900
1,409
Edgefield
Edisto
Fairfield
5
1
10
1
f
97, 800
300
123, 246
200
9,625
Florence
Green ville..
Kershaw
Laurens
X exington
3VC arion
Moriah
14
1
3
3,500
2,759
10, 950
3,000
334
North Greenville.
North Spartau-
burg
31
24
16
17
<
2<
i
Orangeburg
i
16
17
6
2C
3!
13
Pee Dee
1
Pickens
Piedmont.
2
268
Reedy River
Ridge
Saluda
11,645
3,403
12,022
23,615
Santee
ia
2 Amount included in figures on the line designated "Combinations," to avoid disclosing the statistics
of any individual church.
136
CENTOS' OF RELIGIOUS BODIES, 1936
TABLE 7. — NUMBER AND MBMBBBSHIP OF CHURCHES, VALUE AND DEBT ON
CHURCH EDIFICES, EXPENDITURES, AND SUNDAY SCHOOLS, BY ASSOCIATIONS,
1936 — Continued
ASSOCIATION
Total number of
churches
Number of members
VALUE OF
CHURCH EDIFICES
DEBT ON
CHURCH
EDIFICES
EXPENDITUBES
SUNDAY
SCHOOLS
Churches
reporting
Amount
Churches
reporting
Amount
Churches
reporting
Amount
Churches
reporting
r<33
"o
South Carolina—
Continued.
Savannah River-.
Southeast _.
25
24
25
15
11
20
17
14
33
1
21
31
14
9
2
21
13
31
27
16
7
17
33
17
12
22
3
7
29
9
27
17
6
45
21
6
19
4
45
20
17
14
36
18
_17
27
24
20
11
23
12
48
20
3,880
3,302
8,590
2,718
3,520
3,148
4,932
4,416
3,622
240
4,277
4,398
2,468
1,662
524
1,985
2,088
7,058
4,671
3,047
1,235
2,787
3,962
2,298
1,616
3,111
765
590
6,157
1,030
4,097
2.521
434
10, 279
3,207
461
3,088
422
18, 866
2,682
5,065
1,361
6,123
1,541
2,066
4,156
14, 591
2,311
1,981
3,196
1,415
16, 019
2, 9261
21
23
24
14
$128, 350
175, 100
644, 125
32, 250
239, 425
112,200
350, 100
272, 526
70, 775
(2)
232,275
98, 875
119, 565
97, 000
17,920
46, COO
205, 215
51, 125
166, 450
49, 500
181,800
28 575
1
V
$400
14, 200
67, 508
24
24
25
14
11
19
17
14
32
1
21
29
14
9
19
13
31
26
16
7
17
31
17
12
21
3
7
29
9
27
17
6
45
20
5
18
4
45
20
17
13
35
18
16
27
24
15
11
23
9
48
20
$20, 408
24, 83S
85, 854
5,148
33, 547
21, 273
70, 556
36,958
8,597
(2)
27, 242
12, 676
16, 798
13, 115
(2)
3,771
11,478
33, 055
28, 541
18, 976
5,625
22, 779
3,206
16, 080
5,218
14, 497
8,190
3,134
31,015
3,625
7,207
10, 176
487
76,719
9,824
741
16,871
607
246, 745
9,865
47, 160
6,748
24,965
3,352
2,688
2,938
235, 769
4,152
7,576
7,794
990
202, 542
7,943
21
20
24
14
9
19
16
14
25
1
21
30
13
8
5
18
13
30
27
16
7
16
24
16
10
22
3
7
29
9
25
12
5
43
21
4
19
3
45
17
17
10
34
14
16
22
23
16
11
23
7
48
19
2,004
1,930
6,526
1,247
2,368
2,822
3,879
3,268
1,552
25
2,142
2,899
1,345
1,009
190
1,112
1,022
4,029
3,162
1,686
706
1,618
1,449
1,430
829
1,759
711
314
3,455
504
1,862
784
291
6,552
1,624
184
2,134
130
13, 294
1,419
3,176
715
3,603
636
1,173
1,383
12, 192
1,048
882
2,111
427
10,873
1,681
Spartan _-_
Twelve Mile
River
Union.. .
8
20
16
12
29
1
20
25
13
9
1
12
12
29
21
16
7
16
25
16
12
18
1
6
28
9
26
14
3
42
17
4
18
4
41
19
16
13
32
16
13
22
22
11
11
20
9
46
19
1
125
Waccamaw
Welsh Neck
1
2
20, 189
11, 000
80
York
Tennessee:
Beech River
Benton
Beulah _, _
1
4
3
2
40, 000
845
995
1,690
Big Emory
Big Hatchie .
Bledsoe
Blood River
Campbell
Carroll
2
4
1
3
1
2
1,395
8,180
20
62, 786
7,000
1,717
Chilhowie -
Clinton.
Concord
Crockett
Cumberland. . ._
Cumberland Gap,
Duck River
112, 600
35,300
80,050
C2)
9,700
209, 183
18,444
46, 115
35,000
4,150
511, 444
64, 697
3,350
127, 700
3,650
1, 494, 382
73, 700
252,842
42, 900
113, 950
13, 190
29, 352
22, 800
1, 199, 000
33,810
30,800
49. 125
12 100
583,025
54, 275
2
3
1
2,573
3,182
8
Dyer
East Tennessee ...
East Union
Fayette. _ _.
1
3
25
10,559
Gibson
Giles
Grainger
1
1
50
1,000
Hardeman
Hlawassee
Holston. _.
6
114, 669
Holston Valley...
Indian Creek
Jefferson
1
17
Jtidson
Knox
14
2
3
2
5
1
196, 364
10, 035
51, 491
1,070
4,768
32
Lawrence
Madison
Maury.
McMinn
McNairy ... _
Midland
Mulberry Gap...
Nashville
16
1
302, 575
6,885
New River
New Salem *
Nolachucky
Northern
1
1
14
2
34
1,500
85, 142
2,800
Ocoee
Polk
* Amount included in figures on the line designated "Combinations," to avoid disclosing the statis-
ics of any individual church.
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
137
TABLE 7. — NUMBER AND MEMBERSHIP OF CHURCHES, VALUE AND DEBT ON
CHURCH EDIFICES, EXPENDITURES, AND SUNDAY SCHOOLS, BY ASSOCIATIONS,
1936 — Continued
ASSOCIATION
Total number of
churches
Number of members
VALUE OF
CHURCH EDIFICES
DEBT ON
CHUKCH
EDIFICES
EXPENDITURES
SUNDAT
SCHOOLS
Churches
reporting
Amount
Churches
reporting
Amount
Churches
reporting
Amount
Churches
reporting
1
o
Tennessee— -Con.
Providence
13
20
16
16
8
31
28
5
9
11
13
27
17
9
28
15
18
U
15
26
8
23
13
19
13
19
20
10
9
5
10
8
11
17
8
18
25
10
19
10
15
15
8
28
24
13
21
8
8
9
16
20
14
1,393
1,832
4,182
2,032
1,419
5,028
16, 294
461
1,299
1,045
1,612
3,738
1,619
1,220
4, 61-0
1,796
2,716
1,543
3,074
4,809
1,493
4,675
3,097
2,102
1,651
2,040
2,320
1,241
2,621
530
1,223
955
858
2,408
1,441
1,727
4,391
1,944
1,933
3,134
2,809
3,484
1,590
4,961
19,860
2,056
4,296
1,290
1,649
2,661
2,920
3,348
2,535
1,870
10
11
15
14
7
27
27
4
9
8
8
25
15
8
26
14
15
11
15
16
6
20
11
16
11
18
13
9
8
5
10
E
9
15
8
13
23
9
13
9
14
13
8
25
23
12
20
6
8
8
14
15
14
23
$14, 546
11,221
165, 100
38, 350
38, 000
65, 089
966, 087
2,825
8,150
12, 575
39, 750
51,227
54, 550
21, 000
71,450
21, 100
175, 779
3MOO
105, 450
353, 350
58, 200
216,400
158,950
97, 950
26,350
33,900
42,300
78, 800
125, 000
14,200
30, 700
29,000
11,700
169,050
43, 825
27,400
162,396
163, 500
36,900
406,645
74,423
195, 400
36,500
166, 250
1,011,513
164, 850
164,950
37,200
84,500
303,800
70,700
178,600
121, 200
94, 300
12
18
16
16
8
27
28
5
9
11
13
26
17
9
27
15
18
11
15
25
7
23
13
19
13
19
20
9
9
5
10
8
11
17
8
18
25
10
18
9
14
15
8
27
24
13
21
7
8
9
16
19
14
25
$2, 174
3,961
30, 841
7,518
8,330
9,591
219, 713
427
1,008
2,968
5,791
7,295
5,249
6,029
15J48
4,170
16, 103
5,0,16
12, 996
55, 367
10, 662
40, 259
34,888
19, 676
10, 194
8,005
17, 462
10,910
13,854
2,208
6,730
10, 077
2,595
17, 101
8,551
8,114
24,440
33, 930
10, 687
50, 532
15, 050
57, 969
12, 405
43, 861
209, 030
26, 789
33, 022
7,151
13,630
54, 088
19, 161
24,914
12,202
23,881
13
16
16
16
8
29
26
7
4
9
12
26
15
9
25
13
14
10
15
23
7
22
13
16
13
18
18
8
8
3
8
7
8
14
7
17
24
10
17
10
13
14
8
26
23
13
21
7
12
17
13
25
1,042
980
2,760
983
1,124
2,423
9,275
740
150
551
878
1,956
1,108
723
2,194
722
1,254
732
1,348
3,282
1,100
3,351
2,554
1,619
1,057
Ir547
1,768
768
1,311
210
863
692
386
1,432
949
1,267
2,793
1,235
1,278
2,069
1,833
2,750
1,034
3,229
14, 542
1,399
3,294
775
1,209
2,462
1,411
2,000
1,185
3,077
Riverside
1
2
1
1
$1,000
2,300
75
2,250
Robertson
Salem
Sequatchie Valley
Sevier
Shelby
13
255,332
South Union
Southwestern
District
1
50
Stewart..
Stone
1
4,500
Sweetwater
Tennessee Val-
ley
1
2
4
12,000
5,707
4,134
Union
Watauga
Weakley
Western District-
William Carey,..
Wilson
2
4
2
2
4
4
4,100
71,765
3,780
20, 512
35, 249
29,837
Texas:
Austin
Baylor-Knox
Bell .. .
Big Springs
Blanco
Brady
Brown
2
1
1
2
800
150
17,000
8,040
Brownfleld
Burleson-Lee
Burleson, R. C...
Burnet-Llano
Callahan
1
11,000
Canadian
Cherokee
Cisco
2
3,433
Clay
nnlfi"nifl,"n
1
1
2
1
3
1
7
2
3
14
3
1
475
6,000
13, 250
3,050
68,290
1,130
22,560
777
18,400
217, 315
34,908
42,000
Collin
Colorado
Comanche
Concho Valley--.
Cooke
Corpus Christi...
Corsicana
Creath-Brazos
Dallas.
Del Rio Uvalde- _
Denton
Dickens
Ellis
El Paso
3
82,625
Enon
Erath
Falls
1
29,900
Fannin
25
138
GEN'S'TJS' OF RELIGIOUS BODIES, 1936
TABLE 7. — NUMBER AND MEMBERSHIP OF CHURCHES, VALUE AND DEBT ON
CHUBCH EDIFICES, EXPENDITURES, AND SUNDAY SCHOOLS, BY ASSOCIATIONS,
1936 — Continued
ASSOCIATION
Total number of
churches
Number of members
VALUE OF
CHURCH EDIFICES
DEBT ON
CHURCH
EDIFICES
EXPENDITURES
SUNDAY
SCHOOLS
CD ^
O "P
t-< s
3ft
gg
1
gM
si
2 ft
gg
|
-4
Sfl
ft
O *
40
|
<
SM
fs
H p<
O *"*
§
0
Texas— Con.
Fisher
13
14
6
7
16
25
9
9
3
6
5
7
16
26
7
14
9
17
15
12
15
2
20
13
16
9
10
12
5
20
8
19
4
16
12
11
8
12
21
18
23
14
23
39
11
9
16
14
9
7
30
14
6
13
22
15
30
11
5
22
1,860
2,321
562
1,058
2,044
8,649
776
1,359
228
1,150
1,125
1,434
4,002
6,863
554
3,091
1,540
3,380
1,962
1,542
2,217
162
3,678
4,234
6,282
1,512
1,304
1,478
644
3,171
928
2,340
307
2,724
6,448
1,380
631
2,173
3,058
2,780
4,563
4,254
5,461
5,476
1,840
1,437
3,249
1,872
1,440
2,150
14,988
2,822
900
1,999
5,564
4,068
11,952
2,811
330
6,653
9
11
4
5
15
24
9
7
3
6
4
4
14
21
7
13
9
17
9
12
12
2
15
13
12
8
7
9
5
16
6
15
2
15
10
7
7
8
18
14
23
12
18
35
10
8
16
14
7
6
28
12
5
10
21
14
26
8
2
18
$16, 550
57, 200
16, 800
26, 135
76,630
378, 266
19, 850
52, 450
2,600
39,400
41,000
90, 600
190, 200
188, 450
7,950
96,250
29, 300
205, 975
31, 350
25, 800
122, 700
183, 770
307, 497
198, 409
61, 650
31, 950
47, 126
19, 600
136, 400
36, 800
93,050
(a)
76, 700
833,700
26,800
16,650
107, 860
100, 700
127,895
184,000
98,800
233, 700
103,090
79,800
44,900
141,350
30,600
52,000
125,000
729,249
332,050
33, 100
48,000
258,250
207, 200
684,902
159,800
233,200
13
14
6
7
16
25
9
9
3
6
5
7
16
25
6
13
9
17
15
10
15
2
20
13
16
9
10
12
5
20
8
17
4
16
12
11
8
10
20
18
23
14
21
38
11
9
16
13
9
7
29
14
6
13
22
14
29
11
5
22
$9, 959
17, 557
5,387
9,353
22,670
62, 398
4,399
8,322
722
8,739
7,515
6,593
30, 769
39, 343
1,860
24,674
8,258
28, 149
16, 253
7,102
13, 467
(2)
20, 337
47,746
49, 656
14,422
6,040
8,026
4,211
23, 650
5,324
15, 006
1,125
23,986
93, 202
5,061
3,494
12,661
16, 427
49, 381
27,294
26, 631
40,370
24, 356
28, 440
10, 944
23, 852
13, 710
10, 689
17, 416
145, 749
29, 289
10,765
8,373
65, 919
46, 515
127, 351
31, 282
1,875
58, 598
8
13
5
5
15
25
8
6
3
5
4
6
16
23
6
12
8
16
13
10
13
1
17
13
13
7
8
11
5
19
6
17
4
15
11
10
7
8
17
14
19
12
20
35
11
6
14
13
8
6
27
12
5
11
21
14
28
10
3
21
932
1.827
361
591
1,368
6,046
501
708
129
398
660
619
2,429
3,702
332
1,723
780
1,923
1,778
707
1,463
26
1,927
2,743
3,854
1,196
728
761
452
2,305
600
1,562
230
2,071
4,859
741
506
1,248
1, 633
2,378
2,015
2,643
3,302
3,343
1,364
596
2,049
1,030
955
1,584
8,997
2,249
390
878
3,285
2,605
8,768
1,767
120
4,791
Floyd
2
1
$5,800
400
Freestone Leon
Gambrell
Gonzales
3
3
2
1
1,105
9,032
1,300
2,500
Grayson..
Guadalupe .
Hamilton .
Hardin
Harmony
Haskell
Henderson
Hill
3
3
9,426
6,970
Hunt
Jack
Johnson..
1
2
1
3
1
1
10,000
3,600
20,000
2,900
250
15,000
Jones
Lamar —
Lamesa~ _
Jvampq,<?as
Leon River
Liberty
Limestone
2
7
3
1
18,000
105,990
50,400
5,500
Lower Bio Grande.
Lubbock
Medina River
Meridian
Milam
Mills
Mitchell-Scurry. .
Montague-Wise. .
Neches River
New Bethel
2
1
2
21, 300
100
3,530
North Fork.
8
6
2
11, 783
183,052
5,220
PaloDuro
jpalo Pinto
Paluxy
Panhandle
4
25, 600
Parker ...
Pecos Valley _..
4
4
4
6
5
1
2,950
5,850
4,058
21, 295
1,930
1,300
Pittsburg
Red Fork
Bed Ri ver-
Texarkana
Rehoboth... __.
Rio Grande
Robertson
Runnells
2
2
1
3
14
2
1
1
5
4
11
1
515
4,600
6,800
14,579
154, 115
102,875
3,000
125
25,940
7,375
173, 579
24,000
Rusk-Panola
Sabine Valley
Saline
San Antonio
San Marcos _ „
SanSaba .
Shelby-Doches...
Smith
Soda Lake „.
Southeast Texas. _
Staked Plains....
Stonewall,-
Sweetwater
4
54,248
a Amount included in figures on the line designated "Combinations/* to avoid disclosing the statistics
of any individual church.
SO'TTTHEBSr BAPTIST CONVENTION
139
TABLE 7. — NUMBEK AND MEMBERSHIP OP CHURCHES, VALUE AND DEBT ON
CHURCH EDIFICES, EXPENDITURES, AND SUNDAY SCHOOLS, BY ASSOCIATIONS,
1936 — Continued
ASSOCIATION
Total number of
churches
1
"8
1
£
VALUE OF
CHURCH EDIFICES
DEBT ON
CHURCH
EDIFICES
EXPENDITURES
SUNDAY
SCHOOLS
Churches
reporting
Amount
Churches
reporting
Amount
Churches
reporting
I
1
Churches
reporting
1
Texas— Con.
Tarrant
32
12
16
5
27
42
13
11
36
14
13
7
13
20
11
12
39
23
17
33
5
36
1
23
48
32
15
16
33
25
28
18
20
30
25
32
53
12
46
16
27
41
45
22
i
1
«
13,545
2,357
3,187
857
3,272
24, 345
3,381
1,725
13, 134
2,827
4,276
1,522
2,354
1,937
1,531
3,686
7,523
5,209
5,029
4,377
486
6,262
60
5,887
21, 773
7,591
2,980
2,460
5,275
7,226
209
2,142
1,651
8,360
6,355
4,309
7,573
8,912
1,055
9,894
2,813
3,265
8,875
14, 472
9,787
1,098
97
1,209
759
508
30
10
8
4
23
39
11
10
35
10
11
7
13
17
11
11
37
22
17
33
33
$584, 321
73, 300
272, 500
28,500
91,800
1, 953, 675
123,000
46, 385
531,900
78, 600
177, 241
69, 400
102,950
64, 775
124, 000
156,417
276, 184
446, 450
268, 500
232,441
14, 000
191, 200
14
$94, 183
32
12
15
5
26
42
13
11
36
14
13
7
13
20
10
12
39
23
17
33
5
36
1
23
48
32
15
16
33
25
2
24
17
20
30
24
32
53
12
46
16
27
41
45
22
»5
1
r
]
$126, 287
20,455
25, 521
7,859
30,964
306, 617
22, 707
17, 167
122,869
16, 111
39, 594
12, 607
13,600
9,254
14, 999
34, 191
49, 495
68,861
52, 637
29, 101
389
37,442
(2)
22, 228
357, 908
47, 337
14,041
10, 712
30, 445
75, 873
22,029
8,809
107, 023
106,648
21, 184
69,003
95,763
4,008
61,099
32, 668
15, 551
103, 716
162, 599
126, 324
7,715
(2)
(2)
8
96,933
31
11
12
4
21
37
12
9
35
12
11
6
11
19
10
12
38
21
17
32
5
35
1
22
48
31
14
15
30
25
1
26
15
19
27
24
31
51
12
46
14
23
38
43
22
t
1
o
]
]
8,506
1,702
2,054
477
1,841
18,465
2,196
759
9,594
2,112
3,059
1,148
1,275
1,353
1,390
1,960
5,156
3,898
3,301
3,932
336
4,015
35
2,116
14, 132
3,574
1,583
1,465
3,444
6,060
106
2,316
1,048
7,933
4,560
2,283
5, 622
6,431
885
6,058
2,017
1,451
6,239
13,453
7,718
647
110
863
547
525
Throckmorton-
Young
Tierra Blanca
Trans-Canadian..
Tryon-E vergreen .
Union
3
1
3
21
2
56,200
1,846
309
504, 703
359
Unity
Van Zandt
Waco
6
2
5
1
2
1
4
4
4
4
3
4
18,050
14, 500
24,044
800
18, 600
125
4,200
13, 125
19, 737
94, 150
6,300
4,136
West Plains
Wichita-Archer...
Wilbarger-Foard .
Williamson
Wise
Virginia:
Accomac _
Albemarle. - _
Appomattox
Augusta
Blackwater
Blue Ridge
Clinch Valley
Concord
5
11,276
Cumberland Gap.
Dan River
23
47
29
14
16
29
24
f
22
15
20
30
24
32
51
11
44
15
25
39
44
20
5
125, 500
2, 349, 967
159, 900
91, 500
50, 100
208,250
453, 500
140, 900
79,090
748, 500
739, 100
131, 500
367,700
530, 850
21, 750
322,200
309, 000
77,650
769, 250
1,136,936
705, 700
54,210
(*)
(2)
(2)
(2)
477, 750
Dover
16
3
355, 649
4,670
Goshen
Werrnon
James River
1
3
9
125
2,600
80, 591
Lebanon
Middle District-
Mulberry Gap__.
New Lebanon
New River
2
11, 350
Peninsula
7
7
79,038
150, 581
Petersburg
Pie(?TnnT)t
Pittsylvania
Potomac
3
10
1
3
3
17,871
128,505
600
4,135
72,900
Powell River
Rappahannock. _ _
Shenandoah
Shiloh
Strawberry
11
11
13
2
1
1
88, 198
391, 166
85,725
5,840
(2)
(2)
Valley
Virginia-Ports-
mouth
Wise
Unassociated
West Virginia:
New Lebanon
Shenandoah
Valley
1
(2)
32,929
Combinations
F 2 Amount included in figures on the line designated "Combinations/' to avoid disclosing the statistics
of any individual church*
140 CENS'US' OF RELIGIOUS BODIES, 1936
HISTORY, DOCTRINE, AND ORGANIZATION 1
DENOMINATIONAL HISTORY
At the time of the formation of the Triennial Convention in 1814 2 the Baptist
population was chiefly in New England and the middle and southern seaboard
States, and the center of executive administration was located first at Philadelphia
and subsequently at Boston. With the growth of migration to the South and
Southwest, the number of churches in those sections of the country greatly
increased, and it became difficult to associate in a single advisory council more
than a small percentage of the Baptist churches in the United States, especially
as means of transportation were deficient and expensive. At the same time the
question of slavery occasioned much discussion between the two sections, which
was brought to a focus by the impression in the Southern States that the foreign
mission society of the denomination, which had its headquarters in Boston, was
so thoroughly antislavery that it would, not accept a slaveholder as a missionary.
A letter addressed direct to that organization by the Alabama State Convention,
asking for information, brought a courteous reply to the effect that while the
board refused to recognize the claim of anyone, slaveholder or nonslaveholder,
to appointment, "one thing was certain, they could never be a party to any
arrangement which would imply approbation of slavery."
This decision led to formal withdrawal of the various Southern State conventions
and auxiliary foreign mission societies and to the organization at Augusta, Ga.,
in May 1845, of the Southern Baptist Convention. About 300 churches were
represented by delegates from Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South
Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, and Kentucky, the largest number of
Baptist churches in the South at that period being in Virginia. In all the discus-
sions and in the final act of organization, there was very little bitterness, the
prevalent conviction being that those of kindred thought would work more effec-
tively together, and that, in view of the sharp differences between the two sections,
it was wiser that separate organizations should exist. The specific purpose of
the convention, as plainly set forth, was to carry out the benevolent purposes of
those composing it; to elicit, combine, and direct the energies of the denomination
for the propagation of the Gospel; and to cooperate for the promotion of foreign
and domestic missions and other important objects, while respecting the independ-
ence and equal rights of the local churches.
Previous to the Civil War the convention met biennially; since that time, for
the most part, it has met annually. At first, its efforts were largely given over
to foreign missions, under the direction of the Foreign Mission Board at Richmond,
Va., and to home ("domestic") missions under the direction of the Home Mission
Board located first at Marion, Ala., and later at Atlanta, Ga., although a number
of the cooperating State Conventions were fostering schools and colleges of various
types. The Home Mission Board, from the first, moreover, gave its most earnest
consideration and its largest help to the mission work carried on in the several
States, notably in the States where Baptists were weak. From 1845 onward,
therefore, the Southern Baptist Convention fostered foreign missions, home
missions, and State missions.
In 1859 the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, now at Louisville, Ky., be-
gan work; in addition to this seminary the Southern Baptist Convention now owns
and controls the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, at Fort Worth,
Tex., and the Baptist Bible Institute, at New Orleans, La. In 1863 the first
Sunday School Board was launched, but in 1873, owing to the great financial
panic of the times, its work was turned over to the Home Mission Board; in
1891 the present Sunday School Board was established at Nashville, Tenn.
In 18S8 the Woman's Missionary Union was organized at Richmond, Va.;
in 1896 the work of the Baptist Young People's Union was officially launched;
in 1900 and 1918 this work was placed under the auspices of the Sunday School
Board; in 1918 the Board of Ministerial Relief and Annuity was established,
with headquarters at Dallas, Tex.; in 1920 the Board of Education was estab-
lished at Birmingham, Ala. This board was changed to the Southern Baptist
Education Commission in 1928.
1 This statement, which is substantially the same as that published in vol. II of the Report on Eeligious
Bodies, 1926, has been revised by Dr. E. P. Alldredge, M. A., D. D., secretary of the Department Survey,
Statistics and Information, Sunday School Board of the Southern Baptist Convention, Nashville, Tenn.,
and approved by him in its present form.
2 See Baptists, p. 87.
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION 141
Hospital work of the convention began with the building of a great tubercu-
losis hospital at El Paso, Tex., in 1919, and a general hospital at New Orleans,
La., jin 1924, although State conventions had previously supported their own
hospitals. During this period, also, the Laymen's Mission Movement, now
known as the Brotherhood Movement, came into existence, headquarters are at
Knoxville, Tenn. In 1927 the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist
Convention, with greatly enlarged powers, was located at Nashville, Tenn.
Up to 1860 the missionary work of the convention was carried forward with
marked enthusiasm and success. Every department of denominational life was
quickened by the increased sense of responsibility and the increased confidence
that sprang from direct control. Parallel with this was the growth in numbers
and liberality of the denomination, which was strengthened by the standing
conflict with the antimissionary spirit rife throughout the South, and manifest
more particularly among the Primitive or "Hardshell," the United, and the
Regular Baptists. The denomination suffered severely during the Civil War,
but since that time has shown great prosperity.
As was inevitable, emancipation brought about great changes in racial condi-
tions, and, whereas before the war the Negro Baptists were, in large part, iden-
tified with the white churches, after the war they formed their own churches,
associations, and State conventions, and, later, the National Baptist Conven-
tion.2 The first Negro association to be formed under the new regime was one
in Louisiana in 1865, and it was soon followed by others in North Carolina,
Alabama, Virginia, Arkansas, and Kentucky. An indication of the development
of the Southern convention is found in the fact that, whereas in 1845 the mem-
bership of the churches identified with it was 352,950, of whom 222,950 were
white and 130,000 Negro, the report for 1890 showed a membership of 1,280,066,
consisting of whites alone and by 1935 had become the leading non-Catholic
religious body in America, reporting a total of 4,389,417 members.
With the entrance of the United States into the World War the Southern
Baptist Convention took up religious work for the Army and Navy most heartily
and effectively. It was represented on the General Committee on Chaplains of
the Federal Council of the Churches of Christ in America, though not a constit-
uent member of that body, and contributed liberally toward the work of the Red
Cross, Young Men's Christian Association, and kindred organizations.
DOCTRINE AND ORGANIZATION
In doctrine the Southern Baptist churches are in harmony with those of the
North, although in general they are more strictly Calvinistic, and the New Hamp-
shire Confession of Faith is more firmly held than in the Northern churches. In
polity, likewise, there is no essential difference. The Northern and Southern
churches interchange membership and ministry on terms of perfect equality, and
their separation is purely administrative in character, not doctrinal or ecclesias-
tical.
WORK
The work of the Southern Baptist churches is carried on through five denomina-
tional boardSj having charge, respectively, of home missions, foreign missions,
Sunday school work, educational institutions, and ministerial relief.
The home mission work, under the care of the Home Mission Board, covers
the entire territory of the South, and also Cuba, Isle of Pines, and the Panama
Canal Zone. In addition it goes into southern Illinois, New Mexico, Oklahoma,
and Missouri, cooperating with the Baptist State executive boards in the various
State conventions. It does cooperative work with the Negro Baptists in the
South, conducts missionary operations among the foreigners, maintains work
among the Indians in Oklahoma and other Southern States, and operates several
mountain mission schools in the southern Appalachian and Ozark highlands. ^ A
department of evangelism has an able director who participates both in the city
and rural campaigns and in other activities. A church extension department
has a building loan fund of $1,350,000, and the erection of church buildings is
annually aided by gifts and loans to the extent of about $100,000. An educa-
tional and publicity department conducts a large propaganda for the instruction of
the denomination in the principles and activities of home missions. In 1936 the
total number of persons employed in the work of the board was 207, the number of
churches aided by them was 534, and the receipts for all purposes were $450,000.
To this should be added about $600,000 raised annually by the State mission
boards for work in their several States, making a grand total of $1,050,000. The
* See Negro Baptists, p. 152.
142 CE'NOTS' OP RELIGIOUS BODIES, 1936
board holds as assets properties and invested gifts amounting to approximately
$3,275,000, most of which is church and mission school property, the remainder
being the in vested funds.
The foreign missionary work of the Southern Baptist churches has always
held a prominent place in their church Me. The Foreign Mission Board main-
tains work in 17 nations, including China, Japan, Africa, Italy, Mexico, Brazil,
Argentina, Chile, Europe, the Near East, etc. The report for 1936 shows 517
American missionaries, 2,361 native helpers, and 1,715 organized churches with
203,674 members. The educational work of the board was represented by 347
schools with 26,799 students. Of these, 11 were theological institutions, 3 were
colleges, and 4 normal training schools. The board has 24 hospitals and dis-
pensaries. The total number of patients treated during 1936 was 88,599. In-
cluding the hospitals, schools, and 231 buildings owned by the board for purposes
of worship, the total value of the property owned is estimated at $2,750,000;
and the receipts of the board for the year were $1,040,575. There are publishing
houses at El Paso, Tex.; Canton, China; and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The result
of the work is apparent in the fact that during the year 14,882 natives were
received into the churches on confession of faith.
The Women's Missionary Union, with headquarters at Birmingham, Ala.,
cooperates with all the boards of the denomination, contributing largely to their
financial support. These contributions in 1936 amounted to $2,165,787.
In close sympathy with the home mission work is that of the Sunday School
Board, which is both missionary and educational in character. Pecuniary assist-
ance is given by it to the State boards, for the employment of Sunday school
missionaries and instructors, the expense being met from the proceeds of the
business done in the publishing department at Nashville, Tenn. Eleven great
departments of work are carried on by the Sunday School Board, in addition to
14 kinds of cooperative work with the other boards and agencies of the convention.
Besides doing a large book publishing business of its own, this board also maintains
joint ownership of 16 Baptist book stores in as many States of the South. A corps
of trained specialists is maintained who traverse the territory of the convention,
holding normal institutes for training Sunday school teachers and instructing in
efficient methods. Lectureships on Sunday school methods are sustained in the
Louisville Theological Seminary, Louisville, Ky., and the first chair of Sunday
school pedagogy was established by this board in that institution. Free tract
distribution, Bible distribution, and other colportage work are also provided for
by the board. In 1936, this board expended $430,669 in denominational work
and had total cash receipts amounting to $1,745,349.
The educational institutions under the auspices of the Southern Baptists
include 3 theological seminaries, 2 training schools, 29 standard colleges and
universities, 21 junior colleges, and 15 preparatory schools. Of these 70 educa-
tional institutions, the 3 theological schools are under the auspices of the Southern
Baptist Convention; the 2 training schools are fostered by the Woman's Mis-
sionary Union, while all the other schools are directed by the various State con-
ventions. The theological seminary at Louisville, Ky., in 1936 reported 17
professors, 386 male and 90 female students, an endowment of $1,764,000, and
buildings valued at $1,317,200. The Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
at Fort Worth, Tex., also under the control of the Southern Baptist Convention,
had 13 professors, 339 male and 222 female students, an endowment of $770,446,
and buildings valued at $1,484,980. The women in these institutions are prepar-
ing for missionary and social settlement work. In the 67 colleges, junior colleges,
and preparatory schools there were, in 1936, a total of 1,487 teachers and 24,930
students, of whom 1,652 were students for the ministry.
The denomination maintains 25 hospitals, 2 of which are under the control
of the Southern Baptist Convention, while the others are under the State con-
ventions. These hospitals during the year treated about 77,057 patients. There
are also 19 orphanages and 2 homes for the aged. The value of property of all
these institutions is estimated at $20,000,000.
The number of young people's societies is reported as 33,707, with a member-
ship of 693,186.
The religious journals of the Southern Baptists are represented by 19 weekly,
4 monthly or semimonthly, and 2 quarterly publications.
Beginning the work of caring for the old ministers and their dependents in
1918, the Board of Ministerial Relief was able to report the following in 1936:
Number of ministers cared for, 552; widows cared for, 443; dependent children
cared for, 150; amount expended for relief, $84,942; and amount paid on annuity
claims, $247,530.
NEGRO BAPTISTS
STATISTICS
Summary for the United States, with urban-rural classification. — A general
summary of the statistics for the Negro Baptists for the year 1936 is presented in
table 1, which shows also the distribution of these figures between urban and
rural territory.
The membership of this denomination consists of those persons who have been
received into the local churches upon a voluntary profession of faith in the Lord
Jesus Christ and baptism by immersion.
TABLE 1. — SUMMARY OF STATISTICS FOR CHURCHES IN URBAN AND RURAL
TERRITORY, 1936
ITEM
Total
In urban
territory
In rural
territory
PEKCENT OF
TOTAL
Urban
Rural
Churches (local organizations), number
23, 093
3> 782, 464
164
1,378,225
2, 259, 287
144, 952
61.0
339, 975
3, 170, 103
272,386
9.7
21, 350
21,045
$93,798,181
$89, 916, 600
$3,881,581
$4,457
4,109
$10, 913, 652
8,937
2,237
2,081
$4, 321, 609
22, 652
$14,978,506
$6,969,455
$1, 501, 502
$1,358,125
$1,626,603
$1,644,266
$428, 316
$260, 589
$216, 241
$291, 263
$682.146
$661
7,547
1, 872. 909
248
646, 672
1, 116, 137
110, 100
57.9
170, 270
1, 536, 839
165, 800
10.0
6,949
6,862
$64,802,748
$62, 115, 403
$2, 687, 345
$9,444
2,015
$9, 111, 790
2,586
1,483
1,397
$3,498,350
7,409
$9,071,480
$3,919,582
$1,000,727
$747,374
$1, 272, 732
$1,107,485
$252,408
$132,039
$120, 897
$152, 220
$366,016
$1,224
15, 546
1, 909, 555
123
731, 553
1, 143, 150
34, 852
64.0
169, 705
1, 633, 264
106, 586
9.4
14, 401
14, 183
$28,995,433
$27,801,197
$1, 194, 236
$2,044
2,094
$1,801,862
6,351
754
684
$823, 259
15, 243
$5,907,026
$3,049,873
$500, 775
$610, 751
$353,871
$536, 781
$175,908
$128, 550
$95, 344
$139,043
$316, 130
$388
32.7
49.5
67.3
50.5
Average membership per church
Membership by sex:
Male
46.9
49.4
76.0
53.1
50.6
24.0
Female
Sex not reported ._
Males per 100 females
Membership by age:
Under 13 years . _
50.1
48.5
60.9
49 9
51.5
39.1
13 years and over
Age not reported
Percent under 13 years 1
Church edifices, number
32.5
32.6
69.1
69.1
69.2
67.5
67.4
30:9
30.9
30.8
Amount reported
Constructed prior to 1936.
Constructed, wholly or in part, in
1936 _
Average value per church
Debt — number reporting
49.0
83.5
28.9
66.3
67.1
81.0
32.7
60.6
5fi.2
66.6
55.0
78.2
67.4
58.9
50.7
55.9
52.3
53.7
51.0
16.5
71.1
33.7
32.9
19.0
67.3
39.4
43.8
33.4
45.0
21.8
32.6
41.1
49.3
44.1
47.7
46.3
Amount reported __
Number reporting "no debt"
Parsonages, number
Value — number reporting _ __ _
Amount reported
Expenditures :
Churches reporting) Ttrjmbflr
Amount reported „„
Pastors' salaries
All other salaries
Repairs and improvements
Payment on church debt, excluding
interest --
All other current expenses, including
interest
Local relief and charity, Red Cross, etc. _ _
Home missions
Foreign missions
To general headquarters for distribution..
All other purposes . - -
Average excenditure per church, _
i Based on membership with age classification reported.
143
44
OF KELIGICHJS BODIES, 1936
1. — SUMMARY OF STATISTICS FOB CHURCHES IN URBAN AND RURAL
TERRITORY, 1936 — Continued
ITEM
Total
In urban
territory
In rural
territory
PERCENT OF
TOTAL
Urban
Rural
unday schools :
Churches reporting, number
21, 970
259, 517
1, 656, 638
857
7,446
53, 231
839
6, 202
28, 803
7,250
111,236
801,010
365
3,885
18, 294
340
2,780
12, 178
14, 726
148, 281
855, 628
492
3,561
34, 937
499
3,422
16,625
33.0
42.9
48.4
42,6
52.2
34.4
40.5
44.8
42.3
67 0
57 1
51 6
57.4
47.8
65.6
59.5
55.2
57.7
Officers and teachers
Scholars. _ _
ummer vacation Bible schools :
Churches reporting, number
Officers and teachers
Scholars
Weekday religious schools :
Churches reporting, number
Officers and teachers
Scholars ~ -_
Comparative data, 1906-36. — Table 2 presents, in convenient form for com-
mrison, a summary of the available statistics of the Negro Baptists for the
sensus years 1936, 1926, 1916, and 1906. For 1906 and 1916, the data are
jxclusive of Negro Baptist churches in Northern States which were included
vith the statistics of the Northern Baptist Convention. All Negro Baptist
jhurches, irrespective of their associational affiliations, are classified as Negro
Baptists in 1926 and 1936.
TABLE 2. — COMPARATIVE SUMMARY, 1906 TO 1936
ITJEM
1936
1926
1916
1906
Jh-ut'<^hfi'!5 (local ArgfrjiiKfttioTis), TWrnhAr 1
23, 093
1,012
4.6
3, 782, 464
685, 841
18.3
164
21, 350
21, 045
$93,798,181
$4,457
4,109
$10,913,652
2,237
2,081
$4, 321, 609
22, 652
$14, 978, 506
$6, 969, 455
$1, 501, 502
$1, 358, 125
$1, 626, 603
$1, 644, 266
$428, 316
$260, 589
$216,241
$291, 263
$682, 146
22, 081
1,010
4.8
3, 196, 623
258, 044
8.8
145
20, Oil
19, 833
$103,465,759
$5,217
3,743
$10, 533, 174
21, 071
2,579
13.9
2, 938, 579
676, 972
29 9
139
20, 146
20, 117
$41, 184, 920
$2,0*7
4,210
$3, 433, 366
18, 492
Increase over preceding census:
Number _
Percent _ _ ..
lembers, number . . -.
2, 261, 607
Increase over preceding census:
Number
Percent
Average membership per church
122
17, 913
17,890
$24, 437, 272
$1, 366
3,100
$1, 757, 190
lliurcli edifices, number
Value — number reporting
Amount reported
Average value per church
I>$"ht — niTm'hAr reporting
Amount reported
'arsonages, number
Vftl\i@ — Timrjbfir reporting
1,325
$4, 451, 057
20, 209
$19,475,981
$16,210,952
- $2,444,042
$820, 987
$964
18, 755
148, 067
1, 121, 362
690
$964, 325
19, 988
$8,361,919
$6, 799, 458
$1,075,594
$486, 867
$418
19, 909
123, 817
1, 181, 270
709
$617, 241
Atnonnt reported
Ixpenditttres:
Churches reporting, number
Afnntint reporter! ,
Pastors' salaries- - -
All other salaries _
"RftpaiTS &nr| irnprnvfiTTiftTitS
Payment on church debt, excluding
interest* -
All other current expenses, including
interest .
Local relief and charity, Red Cross, etc..
TRfoTTift Tnisgirvng
Foreign missions
To general headquarters for distribution-
All other purposes
Not classified
Average expenditure per church
$661
21, 976
259, 517
1, 656, 638
iunday schools :
Churches reporting, number
17, 478
100, 069
924, 665
Officers and teachers
Scholars
i Figures for 1916 and!906 are exclusive of churches in Negro Baptist associations affiliated with the Nortb-
rn Convention. All Negro Baptist churches, irrespective of their associational affiliations, are classified as
Jegro Baptists in 1936 and 1926.
NEGRO BAJPTISTSI
145
State tables. — Tables 3, 4, 5, and 6 present the statistics for the Negro Baptists
by States. Table 3 gives for each State for 1936 the number and membership
of the churches classified according to their location in urban or rural territory,
membership classified by sex, and data for Sunday schools. Table 4 gives for
selected States the number and membership of the churches for the four census years
1906 to 1936, together with the membership for 1936 classified as "under 13 years
of age" and "13 years of age and over." Table 5 shows the value of churches and
parsonages and the amount of debt on church edifices for 1936. Table 6 presents,
for 1936, the church expenditures, showing separately current expenses, improve-
ments, benevolences, etc. In order to avoid disclosing the financial statistics
of any individual church, separate presentation in tables 5 and 6 is limited to
those States in which three or more churches reported value and expenditures.
TABLE 3. — NUMBER AND MEMBEBSHIP OF CHURCHES IN URBAN AND RURAL
TERRITORY, MEMBERSHIP BY SEX, AND SUNDAY SCHOOLS, BY STATES, 1936
GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION AND
STATE
NUMBER OF CHURCHES
NUMBER OF MEMBERS
Total
Urban
Rural
Total
Urban
Eural
"Uniied States
23, 093
7,547
15, 548
3, 782, 464
1, 872, 909
70
8,434
1,563
6,476
83, 903
41,059
90, 334
99, 720
40,430
133, 906
33, 964
2,095
2,273
4,096
37, 701
87
3,197
13, 031
2,853
26, 938
43, 825
77, 094
9,613
82, 888
79, 437
154,119
67, 457
39,837
84,978
125, 049
82, 993
47, 513
89,298
30, 739
203, 017
3
73
109
3,004
477
704
110
559
263
17,620
1, 909, 555
1 r is-1"1
NEW ENGLAND: t
New Hampshire
1
38
10
26
165
223
409
382
174
325
119
14
7
46
276
3
16
123
14
98
117
1,282
324
1,161
1,351
' 3,975
919
478
748
2,365
2,391
1,155
1,482
492
2,225
1
1
5
17
9
18
2
7
2
97
1
33
9
23
145
163
292
301
160
285
114
14
7
34
140
3
16
82
11
70
117
241
45
293
383
956
295
145
325
550
484
270
491
155
759
1
1
5
16
8
9
2
6
2
85
70
8,865
1,579
6,626
86, 167
45,833
103, 264
107, 480
41, 746
138,756
34, 143
2,095
2,273
4,436
47, 515
87
3,197
14, 552
2,969
31, 995
43, 825
249,036
31, 503
219,893
238, 217
452, 076
122, 189
71, 127
140, 077
375,084
322,362
150, 664
213,055
57, 265
388,044
3
73
109
3,072
542
1,103
110
566
263
18, 558
Massachusetts
5
1
3
20
60
117
81
14
40
5
431
16
150
2,264
4,774
12,930
7,760
1,316
4,850
179
Rhode Island .
Connecticut
MIDDLE ATLANTIC:
New York
New Jersey - _ --
Pennsylvania
EAST NORTH OENTEAL:
Ohio
Indiana
Illinois
Michigan
"Wisconsin
WEST _NORTE GENTBAL:
Minnesota
Iowa - .
12
136
340
9,814
Missouri
South Dakota
Nebraska
[Kansas
41
3
28
1,521
116
5,057
SOUTH ATLANTIC:
Delaware
Maryland
District of OotyiTTibia
Virginia . . .
1,041
279
868
968
3,019
624
333
423
1,815
1,907
885
991
337
1,466
171,942
21,890
137, 005
158, 780
297, 957
54, 732
31,290
55,099
250, 035
239,369
103, 151
123,757
26, 526
185,027
West Virginia .. _ _~ -
North Carolina
South Carolina
Georgia
Florida.-- _
EAST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Kentucky
Tennessee.
Alabama
Mississippi - -
WEST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Arkansas -
Louisiana
Oklahoma
Texas -
MOUNTAIN:
Montana
Idaho
"Wyoming
Colorado
1
1
9
68
65
399
New Mexico
Arizona
Utah
PACIFIC:
Washington
1
7
Oregon
California
12
938
146
CBN'S'US' OF RELIGIOUS BODIES, 1936
TABLE 3. — NUMBER AND MEMBEBSHIP OF CHURCHES IN URBAN" AND RURAL,
TERRITORY, MEMBERSHIP BY SEX, AND SUNDAY SCHOOLS, BY STATES, 1936 —
Continued
MEMBERS!
UP BY SEX
SUT
*DAY SCHO
OLS
GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION AND
STATE
Male
Female
Sex not
reported
Males
per 100
females *
Churches
reporting
Officers
and
teachers
Scholars
United States
1,378,225
2, 259, 287
144,952
61.0
21,976
259, 517
1, 656, 638
NEW ENGLAND:
New Hampshire
20
50
1
16
60
Massachusetts
1,744
2,792
4,329
62.5
18
373
2,655
Rhode Island-
468
878
233
53.3
8
167
755
Connecticut . _
2,387
3,838
401
62.2
26
447
3,032
MIDDLE ATLANTIC:
New York
32, 867
52, 900
400
62.1
162
3,340
30, 751
New Jersey
16, 799
28,124
910
59.7
220
2,820
20, 041
Pennsylvania
11, 628
16, 599
75, 037
70.1
392
6,609
60, 549
EAST NORTH CENTRAL:
Ohio
34, 145
69, 331
4,004
49.2
365
6,535
67, 848
Indiana
14, 348
27,385
13
52.4
170
, 2, 569
16, 826
Illinois
49,834
88, 504
418
56.3
320
5,369
42, 647
Michigan
11 627
22, 252
264
52.3
117
1,628
14, 089
Wisconsin
809
1,286
62.9
14
162
1,034
WEST NORTH CENTRAL:
Minnesota .
894
1,379
64.8
7
180
1,143
Iowa _
1,454
2,907
75
50.0
45
406
2,442
Missouri -
16, 293
28, 752
2,470
56.7
258
3,191
18, 934
South Dakota
35
52
3
17
84
Nebraska
978
2,219
44.1
14
174
1,182
Kansas
4,569
8,210
1,773
55 7
113
1,434
7,127
SOUTH ATLANTIC:
Delaware
1,199
1,770
67.7
14
245
1,266
Maryland
12, 766
19, 229
66.4
94
1,508
9,480
District of Columbia
14, 772
27, 740
1,313
53.3
115
1,852
14, 699
Virginia
96, 868
147, 707
4,461
65.6
1,197
16, 647
108, 287
West Virginia
11, 856
18,449
1,198
64.3
314
3,318
19, 020
North Carolina
83, 570
135, 031
1,292
61.9
1,105
14, 299
95, 388
South Carolina
87 882
146, 697
3.638
59 9
1,304
15, 678
103, 197
Georgia _
185, 489
263, 268
3,319
70.5
3,696
28, 084
155, 798
Florida -
45, 484
75, 906
799
59 9
855
9,888
62, 190
EAST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Kentucky
25, 744
40, 519
4,864
63 5
463
5,220
32, 495
Tennessee
48, 096
85, 228
6,753
56 4
713
9,514
63, 267
Alabama __ ...
137, 596
232, 558
4,930
59.2
2,313
27, 434
170, 828
Mississippi
118, 451
193, 956
9,955
61.1
2,261
24, 888
141, 811
WEST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Arkansas
56, 746
93, 294
624
60.8
1,119
13, 343
73, 950
Louisiana -
79, 078
132, 072
1,905
59.9
1,382
16, 284
95, 812
Oklahoma
19, 782
36, 606
877
54.0
471
5,232
29, 224
Texas
143, 029
236, 642
8,373
60.4
2,155
28, 602
176, 922
MOUNTAIN:
Montana _ _ .. —
2
1
Idaho -
33
40
1
11
44
Wyoming
38
71
3
15
32
Colorado"
998
2,074
48 1
16
274
1,384
New Mexico
192
350
54.9
9
72
289
Arizona-
416
687
60.6
16
130
694
Utah
37
73
2
17
90
PACIFIC:
Washington
220
346
63 6
6
75
383
Oregon
106
157
67.5
2
24
150
California
6,876
11,358
324
60.5
97
1,426
8,739
1 Ratio not shown where number of females is less than 100.
NEGRO BAPTISTS
147
TABLE 4. — NUMBER AND MEMBBKSHIP OF CHUBCHES, 1906 TO 1936, AND MEM-
BERSHIP BY AGE IN 1936, BY STATES
[Separate presentation is limited to States having 3 or more churches in either 1936, 1926, 1916, or 1906]
NUMBER 0
F CHURCHES
NUMBER O
F MEMBERS
1936
19£6
1916
1906
1936
1936
United States 1
23, 093
22, 081
21, 071
18, 492
3, 782, 464
3, 196, 623
NEW ENGLAND:
Massachusetts
38
25
4
26
8,865
5,396
Rhode Island
10
8
1
4
1 579
1 621
Connecticut
26
26
13
6 626
5 518
MIDDLE ATLANTIC:
New York
165
111
43
13
86, 167
46 823
New Jersey
223
159
106
69
45, 833
41,129
Pennsylvania
409
303
166
103
103, 264
100, 202
EAST NORTH CENTRAL:
Ohio
382
272
178
163
107, 480
73, 922
Indiana
174
161
52
88
41, 746
30, 388
Illinois
325
259
184
158
138 756
83 839
Michigan
119
81
18
14
34, 143
24, 883
Wisconsin
14
8
1
2
2,095
2,184
WEST NORTH CENTRAL:
Minnesota -
7
8
2
2,273
1,436
Iowa
46
39
34
33
4,436
3,701
Missouri _
276
244
282
288
47, 515
42,299
North Dakota
3
27
South Dakota _.
3
2
87
86
Nebraska
16
11
3,197
2,062
Kansas
123
136
118
137
14, 552
15, 243
SOUTH ATLANTIC:
Delaware
14
8
2,969
1,575
Maryland .
98
99
88
65
31, 995
33,062
District of Columbia
117
83
60
60
43, 825
41, 262
Virginia- _ __
1,282
1,610
1,403
1,368
249, 036
316, 095
West Virginia _.
324
299
235
148
31, 503
24, 166
North Carolina
1,161
1,316
1,373
1,155
219, 893
206, 807
South Carolina _ *
1,351
1,364
1,353
1,317
238, 217
235, 224
Georgia _. - __
3,975
2,900
2,774
2,495
452, 076
381, 312
Florida
919
884
1,038
658
122, 189
98, 194
EAST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Kentucky
478
589
703
529
71, 127
83, 837
Tennessee
748
896
744
757
140, 077
138, 605
Alabama
2,365
2,415
2,156
1,974
375,084
364, 565
Mississippi ._
2,391
2,314
2,527
2,232
322, 362
226, 989
WEST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Arkansas . . ..
1,155
1,375
1,472
1,113
150, 664
134, 720
Louisiana _
1,482
1,311
1,418
1,410
213, 055
132, 743
Oklahoma _ __. .
492
559
495
305
57, 265
47, 363
Texas
2,225
2,071
1,991
1,761
388, 044
234,056
MOUNTAIN:
Idaho
1
3
73
105
Wyoming
5
5
1
109
157
Colorado
17
15
12
3,072
2,298
New Mexico
9
9
1
1
542
408
Arizona
18
12
1,103
817
PACIFIC:
Washington
7
7
6
5
566
681
California
97
75
32
25
18, 558
10,454
Other States
:6
6
3
446
369
1 Figures for 1916 and 1906 are exclusive of churches in Negro Baptist associations' affiliated with the
Northern Convention. All Negro Baptist churches, irrespective of their associational affiliations, are classi-
fied as Negro Baptists in 1936 and 1926.
2 Includes: New Hampshire, 1; Montana, 1; Utah, 2; and Oregon, 2,
275318—41-
-11
148
CEN'SUS1 OF RELIGIOUS BODIES, 1936
TABLE 4. — NUMBEB AND MEMBEKSHIP OF CHURCHES, 1906 TO 1936, AND MEM-
BERSHIP BY AGE IN 1936, BY STATES — Continued
[Separate presentation is limited to States having 3 or more churches in either 1936, 1926, 1916, or 1906]
GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION AND STATE
NUMBER O7 MEM-
BERS— continued
MEMBERSHIP BY AGE, 1936
1916
1906
"Under 13
years
13 years
and over
Age not
reported
Percent
under 13 3
United States *
2, 938, 579
2,261,607
839, 975
384
177
570
6,370
4,522
2,985
11, 692
3,752
12, 823
3,877
304
239
588
3,995
3, 170, 103
272, 386
9.7
10 0
13.2
9.2
7.5
10.8
11.9
11.9
9.1
9.9
11.7
14.5
10.5
13.6
9.1
NEW ENGLAND:
Massachusetts.- .. .
1,474
30
5,274
624
2,218
1,763
9,884
20, 369
17, 400
13, 526
16, 081
747
60
3,470
1,169
5,636
78, 517
37, 473
22, 099
86, 729
37, 385
116, 566
29, 230
1,791
2,034
3,735
39, 880
5,011
233
420
1,280
3,838
78, 180
9,059
609
9,367
1,036
Rhode Island __ _ . _.
Connecticut
MIDDLE ATLANTIC:
New York-
5,652
18, 149
40,398
27, 978
10, 412
23, 224
1,229
26
478
2,520
41, 218
New Jersey
Pennsylvania .. ...
EAST NORTH CENTRAL:
Ohio
Indiana _ _ ......
Illinois
Michigan
Wisconsin
WEST NORTH CENTRAL:
Minnesota
Iowa
2,352
22, 136
113
3,640
Missouri *
North Dakota
South Dakota
87
2,980
11, 261
2,752
28, 110
36, 782
210, 500
27, 022
190, 871
206, 138
398, 174
107, 250
58, 841
116, 524
323, 002
265, 553
130,673
184, 012
47, 620
335, 663
70
96
2,823
475
986
515
15, 175
434
Nebraska
217
1,187
197
2,742
4,237
21, 225
2,583
19, 520
21, 181
42,045
11, 924
5,391
12, 948
37, 133
29,916
11, 578
18, 983
4,582
37, 880
3
13
249
67
*5
51
1,748
12
6.8
9.5
6.7
8.9
10.3
9.2
8.7
9.3
9.3
9.6
10.0
8.4
10.0
10.3
10.1
8.1
9.4
8.8
10.1
Kansas
13,477
10, Oil
2,104
20
1,143
2,806
17, 311
1,898
9,502
10, 898
11, 857
3,015
6,895
10, 605
14, 949
26, 893
8,413
10, 060
5,063
14, 501
SOUTH ATLANTIC:
Delaware
Maryland
29, 405
27, 544
276, 630
16, 238
212, 019
255, 479
400, 214
69, 865
98, 052
108, 650
311, 103
287, 796
174, 157
146, 720
42,408
291, 243
17, 951
26, 203
268, 206
10, 057
153, 189
219, 841
333, 943
48, 371
76, 239
93, 303
259, 825
240, 982
93, 364
133, 510
16, 952
144, 878
District of Columbia
Virginia
West Virginia
North Carolina
South Carolina
Georgia
Florida
EAST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Kentucky
Tennessee _
Alabama ___ __
Mississippi
WEST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Arkansas
Louisiana -
Oklahoma
Texas - --
MOUNTAIN:
Idaho
Wyrvrningr _ n
39
2,020
12
11.9
8.1
12.4
7.9
9.0
10.3
2.7
Colorado
New Mexico..... _ _.
11
Arizona
32
PACIFIC:
Washington. » „_ _
404
2,316
174
2,083
80
California
1,635
Other States
i See footnote 1, p. 147.
* Based on membership with age classification reported; not shown where base is less than 100.
NEGRO BAPTISTS
149
TABLE 5. — VALUE or CHURCHES AND PAKSONAGES AND AMOUNT OF CHURCH
DEBT BY STATES, 1936
[Separate presentation is limited to States having 3 or more churches reporting value of edifices]
GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION AND
STATE
o
%
||
jj O
•si
+3
0
fr
Number of church
edifices
VALUE OF CHUECH
EDIFICES
DEBT ON CHUECH
EDIFICES
VALUE OF PAR-
SONAGES
Churches
reporting
!
Churches
reporting
j
Churches
reporting
Amount
United States
23,093
21,850
21, 045
36
10
22
125
191
303
313
162
239
98
10
7
41
236
3
14
108
9
82
84
1,201
230
1,107
1,300
3,694
824
427
703
2,211
2,162
1,050
1,366
436
2,099
4
16
7
13
6
89
«7
893,7-98,181
4,109
'•
9
5
9
55
129
lift
81
50
143
20
8
7
15
73
$10, 913, 652
49, 655
4,500
125, 400
603, 494
499, 377
766, 658
372, 154
196, 065
925, 625
128, 242
36,950
28,965
22,875
401,507
3,081
6
3
12
48
40
38
67
19
44
8
3
3
10
50
1
5
35
5
9
13
145
21
107
184
43
152
75
119
179
162
68
129
56
159
1
10
4
3
4
38
3
$4,321,609
35, 000
15, 500
48,800
203, 800
184, 700
184, 900
252, 850
60. 400
113, 970
20, 850
10.500
9,500
24,100
91,660
0)
14,300
64,250
12,000
34,450
47,420
353,045
47,400
292, 655
243,900
76,436
284,150
131,910
166,470
306,252
188,321
99, 670
142, 569
109, 950
303,971
(<)
29,850
5,flOO
3,700
6,200
87,910
12,400
NEW ENGLAND:
Massachusetts
38
10
26
165
223
409
382
174
325
119
14
7
46
276
3
16
123
14
98
117
1,282
321
1,161
1,351
3,975
919
478
748
2,365
2,391
1,155
1,482
492
2,225
5
17
9
18
7
97
7
36
10
22
134
195
314
315
163
242
99
10
7
41
240
3
14
108
9
82
85
1,212
246
1,118
1,316
3,738
852
435
710
2,238
2,207
1,070
1,383
441
2,112
4
16
8
13
6
89
7
948, 300
134, 700
630,900
3,385,550
2, 758, 754
5,463,585
3, 674, 556
1, 460, 330
4, 110, 071
1,096,729
144,500
126,900
230, 050
1,687,080
9,600
283, 500
1, 009, 126
100, 500
1, 510, 329
2, 900, 050
6, 39S, 052
1,092,837
5, 198, 624
3,979,081
5,620,066
3,389,448
2,958,370
3,255,134
7,021,984
5,002,304
2,565,488
3,938,207
1,586,647
8,344,611
6,000
219, 215
13,300
51,650
53,800
1,386,353
51,900
Rhode Island
Connecticut
MIDDLE ATLANTIC:
New York
New Jersey
Pennsylvania
EAST NOETH CENTRAL:
Ohio
Indiana—
Illinois
Michigan
Wisconsin
WEST NOETH CENTRAL:
Minnesota .
Iowa
Missouri
South Dakota
Nebraska .
9
39
5
30
49
207
70
157
192
228
181
138
182
461
377
169
291
99
427
1
12
2
3
1
57
2
51, 266
118, 227
26,167
306,843
501, 764
366, 172
117,403
299,456
262, 586
228, 004
445,843
491, 298
394, 754
773, 330
339,989
213, 245
338, 705
120,200
988,055
140
22, 419
1,975
7,147
3,000
329,082
5,115
Kansas.,
SOUTH ATLANTIC;
Delaware
Maryland
District of Columbia
Virginia -
West Virginia
North Carolina - —
South Carolina - .
Georgia
Florida
EAST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Kentucky...
Tennessee
Alabama
Mississippi
WEST SOUTH CENTEAL:
Arkansas ...
Louisiana - . .
Oklahoma-
Texas
MOUNTAIN:
Wyoming ..
Colorado
New Mexico
Arizona - _
PACIFIC:
Washington
California
Other States
* Amount included in figures for "Other States," to avoid disclosing the statistics of any individual
church.
2 Includes- New Hampshire, I; Montana, 1; Idaho; 1; Utah, 2; and Oregon, 2.
150
CENSUS1 OF RELIGIOUS BODIES, 193(5
TABLE 6. — CHTJECH EXPENDITURES BY STATES, 1936
[Separate presentation is limited to States having 3 or more churches reporting]
GEOGEAPHIC DIVISION AND STATE
Total
number
of
churches
EXPENDITURES
Churches
report-
ing
Total
amount
Pastors'
salaries
All other
salaries
Kepairs
and im-
prove-
ments
United States
23, 093
38
10
26
165
223
409
382
174
325
119
14
7
46
276
3
16
123
14
98
117
1,282
324
1,161
1,351
3,975
919
478
748
2,365
2,391
1,155
1,482
492
2,225
5
17
9
18
7
97
7
22, 652
32
10
26
163
221
391
372
172
325
119
14
7
45
268
3
15
119
14
96
110
1,270
320
1,150
1,341
3,814
904
473
731
2,338
2,356
1,145
1,466
482
2,185
3
17
9
16
7
96
17
$14, 978, 506
$6, 969, 455
SI, 501, 502
$1,358,125
NEW ENGLAND:
Massachusetts ....__ ...
80, 607
15, 886
66, 607
485, 866
307, 845
421, 006
417, 014
248, 352
744, 385
197, 638
20, 369
20, 625
41, 144
271, 247
1,571
22, 881
117, 337
18, 331
163, 307
299, 281
1, Oil, 570
205, 631
873, 254
801, 110
1, 025, 629
607, 784
330,905
551, 371
1,128,959
1, 061, 347
555, 537
818, 394
258, 759
1, 530, 100
1,364
29, 098
4,971
11,080
13, 113
188, 170
9,061
26, 380
6, 131
25, 497
150, 674
119, 932
264, 446
170, 477
121, 983
289,872
89, 824
11, 051
7,002
18, 748
114, 435
672
9,163
55, 110
9,470
66, 209
95, 728
465, 013
106. 015
369, 701
402, 563
645,337
290, 400
157, 762
254, 584
570, 004
492, 732
262, 594
361, 628
127, 384
709, 428
783
11, 990
2,372
4,804
3,219
74, 356
3,942
21, 446
2, 730
9,383
81, 309
33, 477
26, 417
45, 701
24, 879
82, 525
17, 357
901
1,933
1,604
34, 772
11,986
905
8,508
39, 332
27, 736
19,014
36, 481
14, 962
45, 255
7,961
798
900
2,275
20, 173
400
4,381
7,408
418
13, 632
24, 563
89, 112
10, 550
114,266
85, 248
60, 975
57, 083
30,001
43,578
114,805
136,631
57,272
96, 418
29, 099
133, 692
113
3,486
406
1,056
706
5,429
1,111
Rhode Island
Connecticut
MIDDLE ATLANTIC:
New York
New Jersey
Pennsy I van ia
EAST NORTH CENTRAL:
Ohio ..
Indiana
Illinois
Michigan _ . ._ _
Wisconsin _ .
WEST NORTH CENTKAL:
Minnesota _._ __.
Iowa,. _
Missouri
South Dakota
Nebraska
2, 358
9,986
2,367
23, 388
39, 610
144, 150
20, 461
96, 776
67, 693
89, 919
64, 978
29, 684
62, 104
83, 299
93, 493
45, 579
74, 370
19, 101
128, 270
Kansas
SOUTH ATLANTIC:
Delaware _ .
Maryland
District of Columbia
Virginia _ _
West Virginia
North Carolina
South Carolina
Georgia
Florida . . .
EAST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Kentucky
Tennessee
Alabama
Mississippi
WEST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Arkansas _
Louisiana
Oklahoma __ _ _
Texas _ -
MOUNTAIN-
Wyoming
Colorado
2,679
446
603
472
14, 212
1,070
New Mexico
Arizona
PACIFIC:
Washington . >_
California __ . «
Other States
i Includes: New Hampshire, 1; Montana, 1; Idaho, 1; Utah, 2; and Oregon, 2.
NEGRO BAPTISTS
151
TABLE 6. — CHURCH EXPENDITURES BY STATES, 1936 — Continued
[Separate presentation is limited to States having 3 or more churches reporting]
GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION AND
STATE
EXPENDITURES— continued
Payment
on church
debt, ex-
cluding
interest
Other cur-
rent ex-
penses, in-
cluding
interest
Local re-
lief and
charity
Home
missions
Foreign
missions
To gen-
eral head-
quarters
All other
purposes
United States
81, 626, 603
$1,644,266
13,653
4,143
10, 299
87, 686
59, 993
47, 651
39, 297
34, 681
116, 377
47,223
1,025
1,582
3,674
34,951
307
2,103
14,447
2,744
30, 346
67, 232
88, 589
22,672
81, 582
88, 119
94, 041
45, 893
28, 304
47, 927
112, 857
97, 519
54, 877
74,071
18,363
135, 393
406
3,558
737
783
400
27, 182
1,579
$428, 316
$260, 589
$216, 241
$291, 263
$682, 146
NEW ENGLAND:
Massachusetts
1,542
590
5,130
83, 161
45, 122
31, 137
79, 224
32, 981
124,450
16,842
5,662
7,286
11,850
37, 551
1,172
459
2,254
14, 302
6,701
6,719
14, 599
5,292
31, 744
5,394
423
670
232
8,325
100
628
2,774
163
2,628
12, 550
28, 768
5,421
27, 111
24,467
11, 498
21,935
7,134
16,283
32, 610
36, 968
15,423
25, 712
8,733
43,628
30
606
172
597
336
3,305
450
598
270
1,577
4,184
5,307
6,561
8,688
2,652
7,772
2,229
177
103
367
2,834
37
215
1,809
166
4,013
8,756
17,229
2,832
15, 767
21,310
14, 815
10, 681
5,390
7,401
20, 361
26, 082
13, 675
13, 370
5,181
24,043
426
110
871
5,847
2,901
9,704
4,883
1,741
6,673
2,565
137
281
439
2,207
16
283
2,120
99
1,708
5,262
17, 402
2,012
14, 638
13, 035
8,624
10, 238
2,750
8,382
16, 996
17,418
11, 025
9,792
3,826
30, 152
2,169
254
677
5,111
2,636
3,000
5,843
2,505
9,375
891
120
283
630
2,939
39
123
1,310
152
554
1,771
25,244
2,844
25, 915
18,973
6,970
12, 792
5,759
10, 157
22,497
24, 829
17,360
15, 706
6,005
52,223
1,235
294
2,411
14,260
4,040
6,357
11, 821
6,676
30, 342
7,352
75
585
1,325
13, 060
Hhode Island
C onnecticut
MIDDLE ATLANTIC:
New York ...
New Jersey - -
Pennsylvania
EAST NORTH CENTRAL:
Ohio
Indiana .
Illinois - -
Michigan
"Wisconsin - -- --
WEST NORTH CENTRAL:
Minnesota
Missouri -
South Dakota
Nebraska --
2,910
17, 025
2,240
14, 112
36, 141
82, 882
20, 790
60, 075
58, 161
56,292
60,934
50, 379
75,225
112, 916
84, 793
37,471
110,939
27,493
165,775
717
5,348
512
6,717
7,668
53, 181
12,034
67, 363
21, 541
37, 178
32,850
13,742
25,730
42, 614
50, 882
40, 261
36,388
13, 574
107,496
32
1,819
50
158
364
4,084
10
Kansas
SOUTH ATLANTIC:
Delaware _______
District of Columbia
"Virginia
West Virginia
North Carolina
South Carolina - -
Georgia
ITlorida
EAST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Kentucky
Tennessee
Alabama
Mississippi -
WEST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Arkansas
Louisiana
Oklahoma
Texas
MOUNTAIN:
"Wyoming
Colorado
4,037
380
2,468
7,120
52, 781
736
549
123
340
254
2,821
50
109
33
80
95
1,275
86
265
252
191
147
2,725
27
New Mexico
Arizona - _______
PACIFIC:
Washington
California
Other States
152 CENSUS OF RELIGIOUS BODIES, 1936
HISTORY/ DOCTRINE, AND ORGANIZATION1
DENOMINATIONAL HISTORY
The day of darkness. — Although the first African slaves were brought to the
Colonies in 1619, a long span of 154 years passed before we have an account of
the first Negro Baptist Church. This was due to the fact that those who were
-the first purchasers of the Africans considered themselves as guardians of these
heathen and hence, on becoming Christians, their numbers were added to the
white churches. In time it became a question whether one Christian should
enslave another. The step between guardianship and master was short and was
soon taken. The results were written into the most inhuman laws ever promul-
gated by a civilized people. Later, there came a time when it was unlawful for
Negroes to become Christians; when it was unlawful to build meeting houses for
them; 150 long and cruel years of enslavement were meted out to these people.
In the meantime, the spirit of abolition, born in the hearts of good men among
the colonists, continued to grow and culminated in the Emancipation Proclama-
tion issued by Abraham Lincoln, September 22, 1862. The proclamation went
into effect January 1, 1863, which gave the emancipated people an opportunity
to serve and worship God without interference.
A new day. — Hardly had the smoke of the Civil War lifted from a hundred
battlefields when sympathetic friends, men and women, through the American
Baptist Home Missionary Society, the Freedmen's Aid Society, the American
Missionary Association, and kindred organizations, sent preachers and teachers
to the 4,500,000 freedmen in all parts of the Southland.
The chance given through the instructions of those devoted friends, from
pulpit and schoolroom, did much to make American Negroes today the most
advanced group of Negroes in the world. Many of the wisest and best laymen
in the group were and are members of Baptist churches; among these are: W. H.
Williams, historian; Dr. Booker T. Washington, founder of Tuskegee Institute,
Dr. R. R. Moton, principal emeritus of Tuskegee Institute; Mrs. Mary Talbert,
who saved Anacostia, the home of Frederick Douglass, as a shrine for the race;
John Mitchell, Jr., the fighting editor; Mrs. Maggie L. Walker, the only woman
banker of the Negro race; Carter G. Woodson, eminent historian; Miss Nannie
H. Burroughs, educator and foundress of the National Trade and Professional
School for Women and Girls; C. C. Spaulding, the insurance wizard; Miss Jennie
Porter, great organizer and teacher; T. C. Windham, contractor and builder;
Dr. A. M. Townsend, financial genius; W. H. Wright, great insurance man and
banker; Dr. John Hope, educator; with scores of other prominent and influential
men and women.
Revival period. — From 1862 to 1890 has fittingly been called the revival period
in the religious life of the Negro people. They organized churches by the thou-
sands, baptized converts by the hundreds of thousands, so that within the brief
interval of 15 years after the emancipation, approximately 1,000,000 former
slaves and their children had been gathered into Baptist churches alone. Since
every member of a Baptist Church must be a baptized believer, having professed
a personal faith in Christ, it will be readily seen that the 3,782,464 Baptists, each
influencing presumably an average of 3 persons, have had a tremendous power
over a large percentage of the race group of more than 12,000,000 souls.
The church building period. — From 1882 to 1905 the number of church houses
increased rapidly. In the period from 1862 to 1882 there had been built approxi-
mately 3,000 Baptist church houses costing about $3,000,000. Church houses
were built from 1882 to 1906 at an average rate of 633 yearly, at a cost of $893,178 .
per year. This meant untold sacrifice from the small wages earned at unskilled
and poorly-paid labor; and besides, expenses were kept up and the pastors'
salaries paid.
The National Baptist Convention. — The first inception of the present National
Baptist Convention was born in Montgomery, Ala., November 24, 1880, when 59
delegates reported and 9 States were represented. Rev. W. H. McAlpine was
chosen as the first president. The Foreign Mission Baptist Convention of the
United States of America was organized by this body. The American National
Baptist Convention was organized in St. Louis, in 1886; the American National
Educational Baptist Convention was organized in the District of Columbia in
1893. In 1895 all of these bodies united at Atlanta, Ga., and organized the
* This statement was furnished by L. G. Jordan, B. D., general missionary and historian of the National
Baptist Convention of the United States of America, Nashville, Tenn,
NEG'EO BAPTISTS 153
National Baptist Convention of the United States of America. It was incorpo-
rated in 1915 under the laws of the District of Columbia. They definitely
systematized the work to be carried on by boards selected by the parent body.
The leaders. — The National Baptist Convention has been very fortunate in its
leaders. Such has been the character and temperament of its leaders that it has
not, like the Southern Baptist Convention, been compelled, for harmony, to limit
its presidency to 2 or 3 years. The body fought it out and has demonstrated a
purer type of democracy than the Southern brethren.
The matter of limiting the tenure of the national officers, however, is being
discussed throughout the denominational ranks; and it is not known how long
before it will have to follow in the footsteps of the white brethren.
But, so far, it has had only three national presidents, each of whom has shown
such high degree of "sanctified wisdom," that there has been no reason to fear the
future.
Dr. E. C. Morris, D. D., LL. D., of Helena, Ark., the first president, who was
elected September 7, 1895, held that office until his death September 5, 1922. He
was one of the most resourceful and eloquent preachers of his day. Rev. W. G.
Parks, D. D., LL. D., of Pennsylvania, who had served 12 years as vice-president-
at-large, succeeded Dr. Morris and served until Dr. L. K. Williams was elected
at St. Louis, 1922. Dr. Parks was a great preacher and much beloved by his
brethren. Rev. L. K. Williams is a deep thinker and very farsighted. He
speaks eloquently and wisely and has few equals as an organizer, with wonderful
power to win men to the support of a program. His comrades in service feel
inspired by the knowledge that in Dr. Williams they have a leader who is a ca-
pable executive of a forward-looking organization which has life, growth, power,
and possibilities.
DOCTRINE AND ORGANIZATION
In doctrine and polity the Negro Baptists are in close accord with the Northern
and Southern Conventions. They represent the more strictly Calvinistic type in
doctrine and in polity, "tell it to the Church," and refer the settlement of any
difficulties that may arise to an ecclesiastical council. Their churches unite in
associations, generally along State lines, for the discussion of topics relating to
church life, the regulation of difficulties, the collection of statistics, and the pres-
entation of annual reports. These meetings are consultative and advisory rather
than authoritative.
In addition to the county and district associations there are State conventions
which are held for the consideration of the distinctively missionary side of church
life and not infrequently extend beyond State lines.
The lack of close ecclesiastical relations, characteristic of all Baptist bodies,
is emphasized in the Negro Baptist churches, with the result that it has been and
is very difficult to obtain satisfactory statistics of the denomination.
WORK
At the first meeting of the merged bodies making up the National Baptist
Convention in 1895, the general interests and work of the churches were planned
by the election, through the State delegations, of three boards — the jPoreign
Mission Board, the Home Mission Board, and the Educational Board. Since that
time the work has expanded until there are now seven boards, or agencies,
engaged in the prosecution of this work, including, in addition to those just men-
tioned— the Woman's Auxiliary Convention, the Sunday School Publishing Board,
the Baptist Young People's Board, and the Baptist Ministers' Benefit Board.
The Lott-Carey Convention, organized 1898, now chartered as the Lott-Carey
Missionary Society, continues its distinctive foreign missionary work.
No accurate or definite statement of activities of the National Baptist Con-
vention of America has been furnished for 1936. The report furnished is for the
National Baptist Convention (incorporated), organized in 1915; its agencies
for propagating its work are modeled in every detail after the National Baptist
Convention of the United States of America.
The Foreign Mission Board, its oldest board, was organized with the convention
November 24, 1880, under the leadership of W. W. Colley. It receives no financial
aid from our white brethren, but is an active member of the Foreign Mission
Conference which meets annually, and the board enjoys the fellowship and useful
information about mission work the world over as do other conference members.
Interest in the work of this board is gripping the churches and members in a
marvelous way. Churches and individual regular givers are increasing yearly .
154 CENSUS OF RELIGIOUS BODIES, 1936
In 1792 the bugle call of William Carey in his two great sermons, "Attempt
Great Things for God" and "Expect Great Things from God," so aroused British
Baptists that 12 men with broken hearts and determination to obey God with-
drew from where Carey had sounded to arms and, after prayer in a secret retreat,
pledged themselves to spend and be spent that the non-Christian world might hear
the Gospel. To begin this, they laid on God's altar 13 pounds, 2 shillings, and
6 pence, approximately $66 in United States money. This was not a collection
from churches, but these humble pastors, with hearts bubbling over with joy
for a chance, were sorry they had not done this before. William Carey, during
that year, aided in founding the British Society for the propagation of the Gospel
and in 1793 he went forth as the first foreign missionary from the shores of England.
At that time the doors of the whole non-Christian world were bolted and barred
against the missionary enterprise, but the great God with His own key unlocked
door after door, until today there are very few places on Mother Earth where
the preacher may not go and preach the living Gospel and where converts may
not publicly express their faith in Christ and have the protection of the law.
The outburst of spiritual fervor and the spiritual awakening in Europe by
Carey's trumpet tones reached, the Colonies as well. Ten years later a number of
Negroes, freed by the Revolutionary War and like the Apostles, who from fear of
Saul went everywhere preaching the Gospel, for fear of being reenslaved, did not
go everywhere preaching the Gospel; but David George went to Nova Scotia and
thence to Africa in 1793; George Liele went to the British West Indies in 1783;
and Prince Williams went to the Bahama Islands about 1789. The results of their
sowing are still seen after 160 years.
Just what William Carey did in England in 1792, William Colley did for Negro
Baptists in the United States. He interested them, rallied them, and on November
24, 1880, organized them to preach the Gospel to the millions in benighted Africa,
which was at that time very dark, indeed. Carey organized British Baptists and
agreed to go down into heathen wells and carry the light of salvation to the perish-
ing millions buried therein, if only the homefolks would "hold the ropes." Colley
organized Negro Baptists and agreed to be their first missionary, sailing Decem-
ber 1883. He led a band of five other persons who opened up our Bendoo and
Jundoo mission stations in the Vey country near Grand Cape Mount in Liberia.
Negro Baptists, slow as they may appear, have pushed the conquest of the cross
until in 1937 they have stations beginning with Liberia where our work is being
carried on by some godly women; on to Nigeria, where Rev. Samuel W. Martin
"in His name" goes forward; then to Cape Colony, or South Africa, where a
number of God's noble men — native Zulus, Finges, Galakies, and men of other
tribal distinctions — are nobly contending for the faith; on around to Natal where
E. B. P. Koti, our oldest and one of our best prepared native brethren, holds fort;
and on to Chinde and several hundred miles up the Shier River to Chiradzulu,
manned by Dr. Malekebu.
Foreign mission work is, indeed, the mother of home missions and Christian
education. Only as we share the Gospel with others may we enjoy it in the home-
land. Only as the home fires are kept burning may our churches and schools do
their best work.
In 1895 the Foreign Mission Department was domiciled at Louisville, Ky.,
with Rev. John H. Frank, M. D., chairman, and Rev. L. M. Luke, of Marshall,
Tex., secretary. Dr. Luke lived but a few months after his election. On Feb-
ruary 13, 1896, L. G. Jordan, of Philadelphia, Pa., was elected secretary, to
which service he gave nearly 26 years. Following him, in September 1921,
Rev. J. E. East, who had served 11 years as a missionary in South Africa under
the board, was elected and served till his death in October 1932.
The largest sum given for foreign missions in one collection was $4,011 at
Newark, N". J., under Dr. Jordan, and the largest offering ever given in 1 year
was $9,000 during the service of Dr. East.
The Home Mission Board was organized in 1895 and functions in cooperation
with the Southern Baptist Convention. It maintains workers in all of the
Southern States, while the American Baptist Home Mission Society cooperates
in maintaining workers to look after the needs of Negroes in the States of the
North, East, and West.
The Board of Education was organized in 1893 by Bishop Johnson, D. D
This board represents the cooperation of the Southern Baptist Convention with
the National Baptist Convention in a way that has not been demonstrated by
any other board. Its chief project is the American Baptist Theological Semi-
nary, Nashville, Tenn,, which opened its doors in September 1924. In 1937
NEGRO BAPTISTS) 155
there were 75 men enrolled as students for the ministry, making this a banner
year. The Board of Education aims to promote a training school for under-
privileged ministers and other religious workers which will meet a great need.
The Sunday School Publishing Board was organized in September 1896 at
St. f Louis, Mp., with Rev. R. H. Boyd as secretary. In later years Dr. Boyd
claimed the institution as his own and managed it by a board of seven men.
Dr. Boyd was succeeded by S. P. Harris, a lawyer, at Chicago in 1915. In 1916
at the Savannah, Ga., meeting Mr. Harris was succeeded by Rev. L. G. Jordan,
who, at the request of the National Baptist Convention, declined to remain with
the foreign mission work and was succeeded by Rev. William Haynes, D. D., of
Nashville, Tenn. In 1920 at the Indianapolis, Ind., session, Rev. A. M. Town-
send, M. D., D. D., the present secretary, succeeded Dr. Haynes. Quite the
greatest undertaking by members of the board was the building of the present
home for our Sunday School Publishing Board at Nashville, Tenn. This build-
ing cost more than $750,000, and with the cost of equipment and the value of
the ground on which the building stands, represents an investment of $1,000,000.
It is known as the Morris Memorial Building. The cornerstone was laid Sunday,
Ma}7 18, 1924. This gigantic structure represents untold labor and self-sacrifice.
It was dedicated April 25, 1926.
The Woman's Auxiliary Convention was organized in 1900 at Richmond, Va.,
as an auxiliary to the National Baptist Convention. As its name implies, this
body helps in all departments of the National Baptist Convention. They led in
the building and largely support a fine hospital in West Africa.
The National Training School for Women and Girls, the school of the three
B's — Bible, clean lives; bath, clean bodies; broom, clean homes — was organized in
1900 and was authorized by the National Baptist Convention at Cincinnati,
Ohio, September 14, 1901. Its purpose was to stimulate, enlighten, and educate
women and girls in the grace of service and in giving to missions and Christian
education.
The Benefit Board was organized in 1913 for the purpose of creating a fund for
the protection of aged and dependent ministers and other Christian workers of
the denomination, and to maintain a home for the same. It hopes to so direct
its affairs as to be the strongest asset of the denomination.
The Baptist Young People's Union Board, organized in 1899, is an important
factor in the life of the young people of our churches. A great Baptist Young
People's Union and Sunday School Congress, representing over 18,000 Sunday
schools and 557 district conventions, meets yearly. Thousands of delegates and
members representing our 10,000 Baptist Young People's Unions gather.
The Baptist Young People's Union movement grew out of the fact that the
Presbyterians organized their Christian Endeavors, and the Methodist people
organized their Epworth League, for the purpose of teaching their young people
the distinctive doctrines, history, and missionary plans of their denominations.
The Loyalist Movement, so-called from a suggested motto, "Loyalty to Christ
in all things, at all times," was started in Kansas in 1887 and endorsed by the
Baptist State Convention in 1888. Its purpose, which soon became clear, was to
organize an exclusive society for Baptist young people. The idea was welcomed
in the Middle West, and the Kansas Baptists arranged a young people's program
in their convention in 1889 and invited young people to attend. Nebraska or-
ganized a State convention in 1889 and Iowa in 1890. In Chicago, 111., there was
a State union formed on August 12, 1890, attended by representatives from 15
States. An executive committee was appointed to study the problem more
closely, and prepare plans for a national convention. There was pronounced
antagonism to all young people's societies in the churches. Leaders of the Chris-
tian Endeavor movement opposed it heartily. One Congregational pastor sent
out circulars to every Baptist minister asking him to organize a Christian Endeavor
Society in his church. Circulars were sent to Baptist ministers urging them to
oppose it. Representatives of all denominations met in Philadelphia April 22,
1891, and two Baptist trustees of the Christian Endeavor Society attended this
meeting, in which was formed what was known as "the basis of organization."
GENERAL SIX PRINCIPLE BAPTISTS
STATISTICS
Summary for the United States, with urban-rural classification. — A general
summary of the statistics for the General Six Principle Baptists for the year
1936 is presented in table 1, which shows also the distribution of these figures
between urban and rural territory. The four churches were reported from the
State of Rhode Island. No parsonages were reported by this body.
The membership of this denomination consists of those persons who have
been received into the local churches upon profession of faith and baptism by
immersion, with confirmation by the laying on of hands.
TABLE 1. — SUMMARY OF STATISTICS FOB CHUECHES IN URBAN AND RURAL
TERRITORY, 1936
ITEM
Total
In urban
territory
In rural
territory
PERCENT OF
TOTAL 1
Urban
Rural
Clnircli.es (local organizations), number _
4
294
74
108
159
27
67.9
1
266
27
0.4
4
4
$15, 500
$15, 500
$3, 875
4
$2, 548
$1, 635
$215
$360
$35
$30
$50
$66
$12
$145
$637
3
42
205
1
91
91
35
56
3
203
68
73
103
27
70.9
1
175
27
0.6
3
3
$12, 000
$12, 000
$4, 000
3
$1, 822
$1,060
$215
$360
$35
$30
$50
$16
Members, number
31.0
69.0
Average membership per church
Membership by sex:
Male
32.4
35.2
67.6
64.8
Female
Sex not reported
Males per 100 females
C2)
Membership by age:
Under 13 years
13 years and over
91
34.2
65.8
Age not reported
Percent under 13 years *
diurcli edifices, number
1
1
$3, 500
$3, 500
$3, 500
1
$726
$575
Value — number reporting
Amount reported- _
22.6
22.6
77.4
77.4
Constructed prior to 1936
Average value per church _ _
Expenditures :
Churches reporting, number
^mniTnt rfipflrtp'd
28.5
35.2
71.5
64.8
100.0
100.0
Pastors' salaries
All other salaries
Repairs and improvements . „ „
Payment on church debt, excluding in-
terest
All other current expenses, including
interest
Local relief and charity, Bed Cross, etc..
Home missions _
$50
$12
$89
$726
I
17
60
Foreign missions „ ™,
All other purposes
$56
$607
2
25
145
61.4
38.6
Average expenditure per church
Sunday schools:
Churches reporting, number _ ___ _______
Officers and "teachers __ „__ __. __
Scholars -
29.3
70.7
i Percent not shown where base is less than 100.
8 Ratio not shown where number of females is less than 100.
« Based on membership with age classification reported.
156
GENERAL SIX PKINCIPLE BAPTISTS
157
Comparative data, 1906-36. — Table 2 presents, in convenient form for com-
parison, a summary of the available statistics of the General Six Principle Baptists
for the census years 1936, 1926, 1916, and 1906.
TABLE 2. — COMPABATIVB SUMMARY, 1906 TO 1936
ITEM
1936
1936
1916
1906
Churches (local organizations), number
4
-2
6
-4
10
-6
16
Increase 1 over preceding census:
Number
Percent a
Members, number.
294
1
(2)
74
4
4
$15, 500
$3,875
293
-163
-35.7
49
7
6
$20,500
$3, 417
1
$700
456
—229
-33.4
46
11
10
$25, 850
$2, 585
685
Increase J over preceding census:
Number
Percent
Average membership per church _. _ _
43
14
13
$19,450
$1,496
Church edifices, number
Value — number reporting
Amount reported
Average value per church- __.
Debt — number reporting _
Amount reported
Parsonages, number
Value — number reporting „. ^ „ .
1
$3, 000
6
$2,483
$2,463
$20
$414
6
53
276
$1,500
Amount reported . _
Expenditures :
Churches reporting, number
4
$2,548
$1,635
$215
$360
$35
$30
$50
$66
$12
5
$3, 046
• $2,925
$121
$609
5
40
229
Amount; reported
Pastors' salaries.. _
All other salaries
Rp.pairs and imprnvfiTnp.Tits
Payment on church debt, excluding interest
All other current expenses, including interest ._
Local relief and charity, Red Cross, etc
"FTnTne missions
"Por^lgpn missions
To general headquarters for distribution
All other purposes
$145
$637
3
42
205
Average expenditure per church
Sunday schools :
OVnTrones rfipnrtine1, mirnhftf
9
94
414
Officers and*teachers -
Scholars
1 A minus sign (— ) denotes decrease.
* Percent not shown where base is less than 100.
HISTORY, DOCTRINE, AND ORGANIZATION 1
DENOMINATIONAL HISTORY
In the records of the early Baptist churches in England there are numerous
references to a discussion on the qualifications for church fellowship, especially
in regard to the "laying on of hands," included in the list of foundation "principles
of the doctrine of Christ," given in Hebrews vi, 1, 2. The General (Arminian)
Baptists considered it essential, and included it in the ceremony of admission
to the church, immediately after baptism. Many of the Particular (Calvinistic)
Baptists did not so consider it.
With the organization of Baptist churches in America, the same question came
up and agitated the church at Providence, R. L, with the result that a num-
ber of members in 1653 organized what was known as the Old, or General Six
Principle Baptist Church, the six principles being those mentioned in the^above
passage in the epistle to the Hebrews: Repentance, faith, baptism, laying on
of hands, resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. The General Six
Principle Baptists claim that they are the original church, founded by Roger Wil-
liams. Other churches were organized on the same basis, and in time confer-
ences were formed in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New York, and Pennsylvania.
i This statement, which is substantially the same as that published in vol. II of the Report on Religious
Bodies, 1926, has been revised by Rev. Arthur C. Lambourne, president, General Six Principle Baptist
Conference of Rhode Island, Providence, R. L, and approved by him in its present form.
158 CENSUS' OF RELIGIOUS BODIES, 1936
The Pennsylvania Conference has only a few churches remaining, the strength
of the denomination being now in the Rhode Island Conference. These confer-
ences are members of an international body entitled "The International Old
Baptist Union," which is represented by an international council, consisting of
a bishop of the union, an international secretary, a treasurer, and representatives
elected by the churches in the different countries. This council has authority
to act in all "matters relating to the world- wide union or extension," but the
churches in each country or State manage their own internal affairs without
interference from the international council or from the churches of any other
country or State.
DOCTRINE AND ORGANIZATION
In doctrine these churches are in sympathy with the Arminian rather than the
Calvinistic Baptist. Their distinctive feature is still the laying on of hands when
members are received into the church, not, however, as a mere form, but as a
sign of the reception of the gifts of the Holy Ghost.
The general ecclesiastical organization corresponds to that of other Baptist
bodies. The individual church is independent in its management, electing its
own officers and delegates. The conferences, composed of delegates from the
local churches, are especially for purposes of fellowship, but when a question
has been submitted to a conference, or to its executive committee in the interval
between the meetings of the conference, its decision is regarded as final. The
present two conferences, those of Rhode Island and Pennsylvania, interchange
delegates or messengers for mutual counsel. Ordination to the ministry is depend-
ent on approval of a majority of a council comprising the ordained ministers
of a conference, not less than two ordained ministers officiating.
WORK
There is no organized home missionary work. Whatever home mission work
is done is by each individual church acting independently* Thus is help given to
a "faith work" in Kentucky. There is a foreign missionary society, and some con-
tributions are reported for work in Canada, China, and among the Maoris in New
Zealand. There is also a book and tract society, for the purpose of disseminating
the literature issued by the International Union.
DAY
STATISTICS
Summary for the United States, with urban-rural classification. — A general
summary of the statistics for the Seventh Day Baptists for the year 1936 is pre-
sented in t,able 1, which shows also the distribution of these figures between urban
and rural territory.
The membership of this denomination includes those persons who have been
immersed and who are on the church rolls as members in good standing.
TABLE 1. — SUMMARY OF STATISTICS FOB CHURCHES IN URBAN AND RURAL
TERRITORY, 1936
ITEM
Total
In urban
territory
In rural
territory
PERCENT OF
TOTAL 1
Urban
Rural
Churches (local organizations), number
66
6,698
101
2,494
3,609
595
69.1
133
6,154
411
2.1
62
57
$727, 285
$725, 785
$1, 500
$12, 759
10
$41, 510
32
45
45
$121, 515
64
$85, 027
$37, 847
$5, 555
$3, 910
$3, 725
$12, 206
$978
$1, 616
$1, 656
$15, 148
$2, 386
$1,329
52 '
676
3,306
16
108
831
18
1,777
99
685
1,086
6
63.1
61
1,710
6
3.4
11
11
$348, 235
$348, 235
48
4,921
103
1,809
2,523
589
71.7
72
4,444
405
1 6
51
46
$379, 050
$377, 550
$1, 500
$8, 240
6
$10, 760
7
39
39
$90, 015
46
$51, 299
$25, 183
$3, 661
$2, 513
$1, 559
$6, 274
$630
$1,285
$1, 496
$7, 656
$1,042
$1, 115
39
526
2,578
2
94
736
Members, number __ _
26.5
73 5
Average membership per church
Membership by sex:
Male
27.5
30.1
1.0
72.5
69.9
99.0
Female
Sex not reported .
Males per 100 females
Membership by age:
Under 13 years
45.9
27.8
1.5
54.1
72.2
98.5
13 years and over
Age not reported
Percent under 13 years 2 ._
CJmrcli edifices, mimhfir, „ ,_ „
Value — number reporting
Amount reported. _ _
47.9
48.0
52.1
52.0
100.0
Constructed prior to 1936
Constructed, wholly or in part, in 1936_
Average value per church
$31,658
4
$30, 750
25
6
6
$31, 500
18
$33, 728
$12, 664
$1, 894
$1, 397
$2, 166
$5, 932
$348
$331
$160
$7, 492
$1,344
$1,874
13
150
728
14
14
95
Debt — number reporting
Amount; fp,portfi<1
74.1
25.9
Number reporting "no debt"
Parsonages, number
Value — number reporting
Amount reported - -
25.9
74.1
Expenditures :
Churches reporting, number
Amount reported
39.7
33.5
34.1
35.7
58 1
48.6
35.6
20.5
9.7
49.5
56.3
60.3
66.5
65.9
64.3
41.9
51.4
64.4
79.5
90.3
50.5
43.7
Pastors' salaries
All other salaries ~~ - -~
Repairs and improvements
Payment on church debt, excluding in-
terest
All other current expenses, including in-
terest
Local relief and charity, Red Cross, etc...
TToTpA mipsifms
Foreign missions
To general headquarters for distribution __
All other purposes
Average expenditure per church
Sabbath, schools :
Churches reporting number
Offi<*PT"S and teachers
22.2
22.0
77.8
78.0
Scholars
Summer vacation Bible schools :
Churches reporting number
Officers and teachers
13.0
11.4
87.0
88.6
Scholars
1 Percent not shown where base is less than 100.
» Based on membership with age classification reported.
159
160
CENSUS' OF RELIGIOUS BODIES, 1936
Comparative data, 1906-86, — Table 2 presents, in convenient form for compari-
son, a summary of the available statistics of the Seventh Day Baptists for the
census years 1936, 1926, 1916, and 1906.
TABLE 2. — COMPARATIVE SUMMARY, 1906 TO 1936
ITEM
1936
1926
1910
1900
Cliurch.es (local organizations) > number
66
67
68
76
Increase l over preceding census:
Number
-,1
—1
—g
Percent2 .
Members, number __ > ...
6,698
7,264
7,980
8,381
Increase 1 over preceding census:
Number
-566
-716
—401
Percent
-7.8
-9.0
—4.8
Average membership per church .-
101
108
117
110
Church, edifices, number . , .
62
62
62
71
Value — number reporting
57
58
59
68
Amount reported -
$727, 285
$668, 200
$307, 600
$292, 250
Average value per church . __.
$12, 759
$11,521
$5, 214
$4, 298
Debt — number reporting _
10
6
4
7
Amount reported
$41, 510
$8, 800
$2, 150
$1, 942
Parsonages » number * -.-*. .- ------
45
42
41
39
Value™ number reporting
45
42
41
39
Amount reported - _ . . ..
$121, 515
$167, 500
$95,200
$69,440
Expenditures:
C hurches reporting , numb er. . ..
64
65
64
Amount reported
$85, 027
$132, 068
$67, 695
Pastors' salaries . . . ..
$37, 847
All other salaries - - - .. «.
$5, 555
Repairs and impro vein fin tf
$3. 910
> $90, 647
$51, 579
Payment on church debt, excluding interest —
All other current expenses, including interest-
Local.! relief and charity, Red Cross, etc
$3,725
$12,206
$978
Home missions .-. .-
$1, 616
foreign missions
$1, 656
i $41,421
$16, 116
To general headquarters for distribution
$15, 148
All other purposes ,-, --
$2, 386
Average expenditure per church
$1, 329
$2,032
$1, 058
Sabbath schools:
Churches reporting number
52
57
66
67
Officers and teachers _
676
691
877
843
Scholars
3,306
4,033
5,005
5,117
i A minus sign (— ) denotes decrease.
2 Percent not shown where base is less than 100.
State tables. — Tables 3, 4, 5, and 6 present the statistics for the Seventh Day
Baptists by States. Table 3 gives for each State for 1936 the number and member-
ship of the churches classified according to their location in urban or rural terri-
tory, membership classified by sex, and data for Sabbath schools. Table 4 gives
for selected States the number and membership of the churches for the four census
years 1906 to 1936, together with the membership for 1936 classified as "under
13 years of age" and "13 years of age and over." Table 5 shows the value of
churches and parsonages and the amount of debt on church edifices for 1936.
Table 6 presents, for 1936, the church expenditures, showing separately current
expenses, improvements, benevolences, etc. In order to avoid disclosing the
financial statistics of any individual church, separate presentation in tables 5 and 6
is limited to those States in which three or more churches reported value and
expenditures.
Ecclesiastical divisions. — Table 7 presents, for each association of Seventh
Day Baptists, the more important statistical data for 1936 shown by States in the
preceding tables, including number of churches, membership, value and debt on
church edifices, expenditures, and Sabbath schools.
SEVENTH DAY BAPTISTS
161
TABLE 3. — NUMBER AND MEMBERSHIP OF CHURCHES IN URBAN AND RURAL
TERRITORY, MEMBERSHIP BY SEX, AND SABBATH SCHOOLS, BY STATES, 1936
GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION AND
STATE
NUMBER OF
CHURCHES
NUMBER OF
MEMBERS
MEMBERSHIP BY SEX
SABBATH SCHOOLS
3
o
e<
o
o3
£»
£
s
3
3
e
£
•g
o
3
r2
"3
Sex not re-
ported
§,5-*
Sol
3s a
Churches
report-
ing
Officers and
teachers
Scholars
United States
66
4
1
18
1
48
6,698
1,777
4,921
2,494
3,609
595
69.1
52
676
3,306
319
30
842
371
84
NEW ENGLAND:
Rhode Island.
3
1
15
3
2
1
2
1
5
1
2
1
1
"~5
1
3
650
40
1,524
718
147
49
241
314
888
109
103
342
188
41
720
37
14
155
30
21
138
229
276
87
245
64
374
40
1,437
473
83
49
258
13
549
286
74
392
27
802
432
73
65.8
4
1
15
4
2
62
9
173
86
29
Connecticut
MIDDLE ATLANTIC:
New York
18
5
3
1
3
2
1
173
68.5
66.2
New Jersey
Pennsylvania
EAST NORTH CENTRAL:
Ohio___
49
Illinois
3
2
5
1
1
57
254
184
60
888
109
103
342
188
""§95
14
155
27
20
130
344
39
48
142
74
11
262
12
6
70
16
9
42
89
37
184
397
70
55
200
114
30
416
25
8
85
14
12
96
140
184
2
1
4
1
2
1
1
1
5
13
24
59
15
22
15
21
8
53
76
124
392
60
43
173
141
20
232
Michigan
70.7
86.6
Wisconsin
147
WEST NORTH CENTRAL:
Minnesota
1
Iowa
2
Nebraska
1
41
325
37
.....
21
138
202
71.0
64.9
Kansas
1
SOUTH ATLANTIC:
District of Columbia
West Virginia
1
6
1
1
1
1
1
42
63.0
Florida
EAST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Alabama
WEST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Arkansas
3
3
1
1
1
2
26
8
8
13
32
118
17
29
95
140
Louisiana ...
1
1
1
1
Texas
MOUNTAIN:
Colorado
1
1
PACIFIC:
California
4
3
1
63.6
1 Ratio not shown where number of females is less than 100.
TABLE 4L — NUMBER AND MEMBERSHIP OF CHURCHES, 1906 TO 1936, AND MEM-
BERSHIP BY AGE IN 1936, BY STATES
[Separate presentation is limited to States having 3 or more churches in either 1936, 1926, 1916, or 1906]
NUM
BEROI
r CHUR(
3HES
NUM
BERO1
r MEMI
SEES
MEMI
ERSHIP
BY AGE
, 1936
STATE
1936
1926
1916
1906
1936
1926
1916
1906
Un-
der
13
years
13
years
and
over
Age
not re-
ported
Per-
cent
under
13i
United States....
66
67
68
76
6,698
7,264
7,980
8,881
133
6,154
411
2.1
Rhode Island
4
4
6
6
650
716
988
1,080
2
648
.3
New York
18
21
19
26
1,524
2,076
2,408
2,926
44
1,307
173
3.3
New Jersey
5
4
4
4
718
749
805
735
26
692
3.6
Penn syl vani a
3
2
3
5
147
113
156
188
23
124
15.6
Illinois
3
3
4
3
241
244
295
290
241
Michigan
2
3
1
1
314
335
162
18
4
310
1.3
Wisconsin
5
6
7
6
888
891
1,039
955
3
738
147
.4
West Virginia
6
6
6
8
720
641
650
681
12
666
42
6.7
Arkansas
3
3
3
4
155
122
184
254
6
149
3.9
California
4
2
3
229
238
153
3
226
1.3
Other States
2 13
13
12
13
1,112
1,139
1,140
1,254
10
1,053
49
.9
i Based on membership with age classification reported.
* Includes 2 churches in the State of Iowa; and 1 in each of the following— Connecticut, Ohio, Minnesota,
Nebraska, Kansas, Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, Texas, Colorado, and the District of Columbia .
162
1 OF RELIGIOUS BODIES, 1936
TABLE 5. — YALUE OF CHUKCHES AND PARSONAGES AND AMOUNT OF CHURCH
DEBT BY STATES, 1936
[Separate presentation i«? limited to States having 3 or more churches reporting value of edifices]
STATE
Total
num-
ber of
churches
Num-
ber of
church
edifices
VALUE OF CHURCH
EDIFICES
DEBT ON CHURCH
EDIFICES
VALUE OF PAR-
SONAGES
Churches
reporting
Amount
Churches
reporting
Amount
Churches
reporting
Amount
United States-
68
62
57
4
15
4
3
5
6
3
217
S727, 285
10
$41, 510
45
$121,515
Rhode Island
4
18
5
3
5
6
3
22
4
19
4
3
5
7
3
17
65, 000
125, 500
188, 000
5,200
97, 200
45, 000
4,650
196, 735
3
13
4
1
5
4
3
12
13,000
27, 300
18, 500
C1)
12, 000
10, 715
2,500
37, 500
New York
1
550
New Jersey _.
Pennsylvania __
Wisconsin
2
2
6,110
2,600
West Virginia
Arkansas
Other States
5
32, 250
1 Amount included in figures for "Other States," to avoid disclosing the statistics of any individual church.
2 Includes 2 churches in each of the following States — Illinois, Michigan, Iowa, and California; and 1 in
each of the following — Connecticut, Ohio, Minnesota, Nebraska, Kansas, Florida, Louisiana, Colorado,
and the District of Columbia.
TABLE 0. — CHURCH EXPENDITURES BY STATES, 1936
[Separate presentation is limited to States having 3 or more churches reporting]
Total
r
XPENDJTURE
s
STATE
number
of
churches
Churches
reporting
Total
amount
Pastors1
salaries
All other
salaries
Repairs
and im-
provements
United States
66
64
$85, 027
$37, 847
$5, 555
$3, 910
Rhode Island
4
4
10, 638
4,150
589
282
New York.
18
17
24, 744
12, 949
1, 8S5
956
New Jersey
5
5
12, 977
3,928
1,377
852
Pennsylvania.
3
3
1,071
550
10
205
Illinois
3
3
1,463
650
Wisconsin
5
5
9 048
3,385
608
376
West Virginia
6
6
5 290
3 019
136
224
Arkansas
3
3
1,471
495
292
California
4
4
4 852
1,892
144
94
Other States
15
i 14
13 473
6 829
806
629
STATE
EXPENDITURES— continued
Payment
on church
debt,
excluding
interest
Other cur-
rent
expenses,
including
interest
Local
relief
and
charity
Home
missions
Foreign
missions
To gen-
eral
head-
quarters
All other
purposes
United States
Rhode Island
$3, 725
$12, 206
$978
$1, 616
SI, 656
$15, 14a
S3, 386
647
2,619
2,917
20
495
u«1
265
1,019
2,898
3,749
4,249
2,253
140
44
1,808
1,096
131
608
3,070
1,221
417
27
21
25
105
208
New York
24
500
315
147
30
510
443
25
249
820
533
70
New Jersey -
Pennsylvania
Illinois
Wisconsin
1,411
124
93
211
West Virginia.
108
236
12
33
100
52
35
46
Arkansas __
California
1,000
666
23
159
25
337
Other States
1 Includes 2 churches each in the States of Michigan and Iowa; and 1m each of the following — Connecti-
cut, Ohio, Minnesota, Nebraska, Kansas, Florida, Louisiana, Texas, Colorado, and the District of
Columbia.
SEVENTH DAY BAPTISTS
163
TABLE 7. — NUMBER AND MEMBERSHIP OF CHURCHES, VALUE AND DEBT ON
CHURCH EDIFICES, EXPENDITURES, AND SABBATH SCHOOLS. BY ASSOCIATIONS,
1936
ASSOCIATION
Total number of
churches
Number of members
VALUE OF
CHUECH EDI-
FICES
DEBT ON
CHUECH EDI-
FICES
EXPENDI-
TURES
SABBATH
SCHOOLS
Churches re-
porting
<J
Churches re-
porting
"d
I
Churches re-
porting
Amount
Churches re-
porting
"o
Total
86
6,898
57
jf
11
16
2
9
4
9
S727, 285
30,500
273, 500
}i246,700
82, 935
7,150
88, 500
10
841, 510
64
$85, 027
52
6~
12
13
2
6
5
8
3,808
241
821
1,104
140
252
164
584
Central
7
13
17
4
9
6
10
529
1, 588
2,372
229
868
220
892
7
13
f 17
I 4
9
5
9
6,796
29, 400
20, 072
4,852
7,965
1,911
14, 031
Eastern
Northwestern
{ t
3
1
1
}i34,160
6,600
200
550
Pacific Coast
Southeastern- > .
Southwestern. . -
Western
1 Amount for Northwestern combined with figures for Pacific Coast, to avoid disclosing the statistics of
any individual church
HISTORY, DOCTRINE, AND ORGANIZATION l
DENOMINATIONAL HISTORY
From the earliest periods of the Christian church there have been those who
claimed, in respect to the Sabbath, that Christ simply discarded the false restric-
tions with which the Pharisees had burdened and perverted the Sabbath, but that
otherwise He preserved it in its full significance. Accordingly, they have held
that loyalty to the law of God and to the ordinances and example of Christ
required continuance of the observance of the seventh day as the Sabbath,
Although the Apostolic church and some branches of it in every period since
Christ have observed the seventh day of the week as the Sabbath, and practiced
immersion, Seventh Day Baptists do not claim an unbroken succession in the
matter of church organization before the Reformation.
At the time of the Reformation, when the Bible was accepted as the supreme
authority on all questions of faith and conduct, the question of the Sabbath again
came to the front, and a considerable number forsook the observance of Sunday
and accepted the seventh day as the Sabbath.
The date at which the observance of the Sabbath was introduced into Great
Britain is somewhat uncertain. Nicholas Bounde's book, the first book on the
Sabbath question to be published in the English language, appeared in 1595, only
to be suppressed 4 years later. During the next century, numerous other writers
on this subject flourished.
There appears to be evidence that, in all, upwards of 30 Seventh Day Baptist
churches have been established in Great Britain and Ireland. The most important
of these are the Mill Yard, and the Pinner's Hall churches, both of London.
England.
The Seventh Day Baptist Church of Mill Yard, Goodman's Fields, London,
probably had its origin in 1617, and may be said to have been founded by John
Trask and his wife — both school teachers — who were imprisoned for their views
upon the Sabbath. The membership roll of this church contains, among its
multitude of names, those of the following: Dr. Peter Chamberlen, royal physician
to three kings and queens of England; John James, the martyr; Nathaniel Bailey,
the compiler of Bailey's Dictionary (upon which Johnson based his famous
dictionary), as well as a prolific editor of classical text books; William Tempest,
F. R. S., barrister and poet; William Henry Black, archaeologist; and others.
"The Seventh Day Baptist Church of Pinner's Hall, Broad Street, London,
was organized March 5, 1676, at his home, by Rev. Francis Bampfield. His
brother, Hon. Thomas Bampfield, Speaker of the House of Commons, under
i This statement, which is substantially the same as that published in vol. n of the Report on Religious
Bodies, 1926, has been revised by Corliss F. Randolph, president and librarian, Seventh Day Baptist
Historical Society, Plainfield, N. J., and approved by him in its present form.
275318—11-
-12
164 CENSUS OF BELIGIOUS BODIES, 1936
Richard Cromwell, was also a Seventh Day Baptist; and the four generations of
famous preachers by the name of Stennett, two of whom were Rev. Joseph
Stennett, 2d, D. D., and Rev. Samuel Stennett, D. D.
In 1664 Stephen Mumford, a Seventh Day Baptist, came from London and
settled at Newport, R. I. His observance of the Sabbath soon attracted atten-
tion, and several members of the Newport church adopted his views and practices,
though they did not change their church relation until December 23, 1671 (Old
Style), when they organized the first Seventh Day Baptist Church in America.
At first this church was composed of those of like faith and practice throughout
southern Rhode Island, but in a few years there were groups in various other
parts of the colony, as well as in Massachusetts and Connecticut, who joined the
church. Seventh Day Baptists in Rhode Island were co-laborers with both Roger
Williams and Dr. John Clark in establishing the colony on the principles of civil
and religious liberty. In doing this they suffered imprisonment and other forms
of persecution. They also joined with the Baptists in founding and supporting
Brown University; and when the struggle with the mother country came they were
among the foremost in the colony in the struggle that secured independence and
established the Union. ^T
Some 13 years after the organization of the Newport church, or about lbS4,
Abel Noble came to America and settled a few miles distant from Philadelphia.
Subsequently he became a Seventh Day Baptist, through contact with Rev.
William Gillette, M. D., a Seventh Day Baptist clergyman from New England.
Abel Noble presented the claims of the Sabbath to his Keithian Baptist neighbors,
with the result that some half dozen Seventh Day Baptist churches were organ-
ized in and near Philadelphia about the year 1700. Soon after this, or in 1705,
Edmund Dunham, who formerly was a licensed preacher in the Baptist church,
led in organizing a Seventh Day Baptist church in Piscataway, Middlesex County,
Under the influence of churches in these three centers (Newport, R. I. » Phila-
delphia, Pa., and Piscataway, N. J.), and fostered by them, Seventh Day Baptist
churches have been organized in many parts of the United btates, and in umna,
India, Java, Germany, the Netherlands, Africa, South America, and Jamaica
British West Indies. There are 10 or more other denominations in the United
States observing the seventh day of the week as the Sabbath, all of which have
received their Sabbath teaching from Seventh Day Baptists. Chief among these
communions are the German Seventh Day Baptists, founded at Ephrata, Pa.,
in 1728, and the Seventh Day Adventists, whose organization grew out of the
MiUerite movement in the middle of the last century.
DOCTRINE
In doctrine Seventh Day Baptists are evangelical and, except for the Sabbath,
are in harmony with other Baptists, particularly those of the Northern Convention
and Southern"Convention. They stand with the Baptists for salvation through
personal faith in Christ, believers' baptism on confession of faith, soul liberty,
civil liberty, independence of the local church with Christ as its sole head, ^tne
Bible in the hands of all men, and the right of everyone to interpret its teachings
for himself. They believe that there are only two sacraments, baptism and the
Lord's Supper, and that the seventh day of the week should be observed as the
Sabbath. .
Originally Seventh Day Baptists were restricted eommunionists and invitations
to the Lord's Supper were given "to members of churches in sister relation ;
but gradually this has changed, and by common consent invitations are now gener-
ally given to Christians of all churches. Neither do Seventh Day Baptists
forbid their members to partake of the communion in other churches, the matter
being left to the private judgment of each individual. Church membership is
granted, however, only to those who have been immersed.
Seventh Day Baptists believe that the seventh day of the week should be
observed as the Sabbath, not alone because its observance began with the history
of man, was held sacred by the patriarchs and prophets, and commanded from
Sinai, but primarily because it was observed and held sacred by Christ and the
Apostolic Church. They (Seventh Day Baptists) believe Christ to be the final
sanction for the Sabbath. , , , « , x >^
While Seventh Day Baptists for more than 300 years have held firmly to tnese
doctrines they have always believed Christ would have them be friendly with other
Christians and cooperate with them in every good work. Their pastors have
SEVENTH D'AY BAPTISTS! 165
exchanged with pastors of other denominations, their ministers have served as
pastors of Baptist churches, in their associations and the General Conferences
they have interchanged delegates, and in more recent years they have belonged
to the National Bible School organizations, the United Society of Christian
Endeavor, the Foreign Missions Conference, the Layman's Missionary Move-
ment, the Federal Council of Churches, the Faith and Order Movement, and other
kindred efforts looking toward united work on the part of Christ's followers.
ORGANIZATION
Since the policy of Seventh Day Baptist churches is that of a pure democracy,
that fact determines the nature of the organizations among them, as well as the
form of the government of the church itself. Each local church is independent
in its own affairs, and all union for denominational work is voluntary. For admin-
istrative purposes chiefly, the churches are organized into associations and a
General Conference, which, however, have only advisory powers. The General
Conference was organized in 1802 and grew out of a yearly meeting established
in 1684. In it each church is entitled to representation by 4 delegates as a church,
and by 2 additional delegates for each 25 members, or fraction thereof, while
members of the 3 leading denominational societies — the Seventh Day Baptist
Missionary Society, American Sabbath Tract Society, and Seventh Day Baptist
Education Society — if present at the conference, are thereby entitled to member-
ship. Churches which cannot be represented by their own members are at liberty
to appoint, as their delegates, members of other churches which are in full and
regular membership in the conference, and the delegate or delegates present from
any church are entitled to cast the full vote to which that church is entitled when
the vote is taken by churches. For the sake of closer fellowship and inspirational
meetings, and for the purpose of interesting the members in the work of Christ's
Kingdom, the churches in the United States are organized into 6 associations.
While these associations have no authority over the churches belonging to them,
respectively, they do determine the qualifications of churches making application
for membership in them.
Applicants for church membership are admitted by vote of the local church,
generally on recommendation by a permanent committee composed of the pastor
and deacons of the church. The local church is the prime authority in the ordi-
nation of elders and deacons; but the ordination of elders, deacons, and all candi-
dates for the ministry is considered of so great importance that it has always been
the custom, when possible to do so, for the church to caD. a council, composed of
delegates from sister churches, to advise the church regarding the fitness of the
candidate. In recent years, moreover, it has been the practice for the General
Conference, upon the request of a church, to approve its action in the matter of
the ordination of ministers. If the candidate is accepted, this approval gives
him denominational standing and affords protection to other churches.
WORK
The churches carry on their missionary and other activities through boards or
societies. Most of these were organized by the General Conference and report
to it, though by virtue of their charters they are more or less independent of the
Conference. The societies thus organized are the Seventh Day Baptist Missionary
Society, carrying on both home and foreign work; the Seventh Day Baptist
Education Society; the American Sabbath Tract Society, which is the publishing
society of the denomination and the agency through which the work of Sabbath
promotion is carried on; the Woman's Board; the Sabbath School Board; the
Young People's Board; and the Seventh Day Baptist Historical Society.
A missionary spirit has always been characteristic of the denomination. It
found expression at a very early period in the yearly meetings, which were essen-
tially missionary gatherings. As the number of churches grew larger and the
churches became more widely separated, the sending out of missionaries by the
yearly meetings increased. It was chiefly the missionary spirit which, in 1802,
led to the organization of the General Conference for the special purpose of
prosecuting this work more efficiently. For 16 years this general work was
carried on under the direct management ' of the General Conference. In 1818,
the General Conference, for the purpose of more efficiency in promoting missions,
established a missionary board (sometimes called the missionary committee).
Missionary work advanced under the ministration of this board until 1828, when
the General Conference replaced it by creating another missionary board. The
churches were trying to find the best way to promote missions, and 14 years
166 CENSUS' OF RELIGIOUS BODIES, 1936
later there were three missionary boards connected with the General Conference,
one of which was a board created for the express purpose of reaching the Jews.
In 1842, the present missionary society was established by the conference and in
due time the duties of the other missionary societies were merged into it. About
this time the work of foreign missions was undertaken. The first foreign ^mission
to be established permanently was in China, four missionaries going out in 1847.
The work has steadily grown until it has extended to four continents and the isles
of the sea. During all this time the board has fostered the home mission work
of Seventh Day Baptists. , ..«,«,.
The American Sabbath Tract Society was organized m 1843 for the purpose
of promoting denominational work especially by means of the printed page.
In the year 1872, in addition to the publishing of tracts, it took over the babbath
Recorder, the denominational paper, long published under other auspices, and
has served the churches by publishing, not only the Sabbath Recorder, but
Bible school lesson helps, various other periodicals, tracts, and other types of
literature needed by the churches as well. .
From an early date, Seventh Day Baptist churches have been intensely inter-
ested in promoting education. The churches in Rhode Island helped found
Brown University; early in the last century education societies were formed
in some of the churches with the express view of aiding young men preparing for
the ministry; and Seventh Day Baptist churches founded 12 or more academies,
3 of which became colleges. About 100 years ago the churches through the
General Conference established an education committee. Later this was merged
into another education committee or board, and in 1855 the General Conference
formed the present education society. Through this society the churches have
fostered the interests of education, particularly the education of the ministry.
At present there are three institutions of college rank, Alfred University, Alfred,
N Y., with its college, School of Religious Education, and three technical schools;
Milton College, Milton, Wis.; and Salem College, Salem, W. Va.
One of the efficient organizations in the work of the denomination is the Woman s
Board, organized in 1884. It has been doing excellent service in the fields of
industrial, missionary, educational, and Sabbath promotion activities.
Organized denominational Sabbath school work was begun in 1836, although
Sabbath schools were already in existence in various churches, one at least having
been organized as early as 1740 by the German Seventh Day Baptists at Ephrata,
Pa. Previous to 1872 Sabbath school boards were appointed by the various
associations and carried forward systematic work in this field within their respec-
tive boundaries. In that year the General Conference created its denominational
Sabbath school board, which is incorporated and has general charge of the activi-
ties that naturally fall to such an organization, including supervision of Sabbath
school literature. , , _ __, _ , __
Much attention has been given to young people's work. Ihe nrst Young
People's Christian Endeavor societies were formed in 1884, 3 years after the
beginning of the movement under Rev. F. E. Clark, at Portland, Maine.
Prior to the appearance of Christian Endeavor societies, work among young
people had been fostered by the organization of societies called Excel Bands.
This movement in the interest of young people has continued through the years,
and for the last half century it has been directed by a committee or board ap-
pointed by the General Conference.
History is an important phase of the activities of any denomination the same as
it is in the nation. For many years the General Conference promoted this work
for the churches, but in recent years the Seventh Day Baptist Historical Society
has fostered it. This society occupies one floor of the Seventh Day Baptist
Building in Plainfield, N. J., where it has installed a valuable library and museum
relating to the history of Seventh Day Baptists.
WILL BAPTISTS
STATISTICS
Summary for the United States, with urban-rural classification. — A general
summary of the statistics for the Free Will Baptists for the year 1936 is presented
in table 1, which shows also the distribution of these figures between urban and
rural territory.
The membership of this denomination consists of those persons who have been
received into the local churches upon evidence of a change of heart, profession of
faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, immersion by a proper administrator, and accept-
ance of the church covenant.
TABLE I. — SUMMARY OF STATISTICS FOE CHURCHES IN URBAN AND RURAL
TERRITORY, 1936
ITEM
Total
In urban
territory
In rural
territory
PEECENT OF
TOTAL 1
Urban
Rural
Churches (local organizations), number _> _ _
920
76, 643
83
29, 960
45, 439
1,244
65.9
1,095
65, 386
10, 162
1.6
714
692
$1, 090, 779
$1, 014, 730
$76, 049
$1,576
45
$21, 021
429
20
17
$17, 375
843
$192,620
$88,240
$10, 279
$40, 160
$7,546
$11, 068
$12, 562
$5, 526
$2, 413
$3,111
$11, 715
$228
78
6,385
82
2,467
3,858
60
63.9
154
5,708
523
2,6
66
66
$171, 150
$159, 340
$11, 810
$2, 593
8
$9, 735
40
4
4
$5,300
74
$28,852
$13, 091
$944
$4,087
$2, 555
$3, 413
$1, 370
$499
$250
$224
$2,419
$390
842
70, 258
83
27, 493
41, 581
1,184
66.1
941
59, 678
9,639
1.6
648
626
$919, 629
$855, 390
$64, 239
$1, 469
37
$11, 286
389
16
13
$12,075
769
$163, 768
$75, 149
$9. 335
$36, 073
$4,991
$7, 655
$11, 192
$5, 027
$2,163
$2,887
$9,296
$213
8.5
8 3
91.5
91.7
Members, number ...
Average membership per church
Membership by sex:
Male
8.2
8.5
4.8
91.8
91.5
95 2
Female
Sex not reported ._
Males per 100 females
Membership by age'
Under 13 years
14.1
8.7
5.1
85.9
91.3
94.9
13 years and over
Age not reported
Percent under 13 years '
Church edifices, number
9.2
9.5
15.7
15 7
15.5
90.8
90.5
84.3
S4.3
84.5
Value — number reporting
Constructed prior to 1936
Constructed, wholly or in part, in 1936.
Average value per church
Debt-""-number reporting
Amount reported
46 3
9.3
53 7
90.7
Number reporting "no debt"
Parsonages number
Amount reported
30.5
8.8
15.0
14.8
9.2
10.2
33.9
30.8
10.9
9.0
10.4
7.2
20.6
69.5
91.2
85.0
85.2
90.8
89.8
66.1
69.2
89.1
91.0
89.6
92.8
79.4
Expenditures :
Churches repotting, number
Amount reported
Pastors' salaries
All other salaries
Repairs and improvements
Payment on church debt, excluding inter-
est -
All other current expenses, including in-
terest -
Local relief and charity, Red Cross, etc...
TForeif n missions
To general headquarters for distribution..
All other purposes
Average exoenditure Der church.. _
1 Percent not shown where base is less than 100.
* Based on membership with age classification reported.
167
168
OENStTS OF RELIGIOUS BODIES, 1936
TABLE 1. — SUMMARY OF STATISTICS FOB CHURCHES IN URBAN AND RURAL
TERRITORY, 1936 — Continued
ITSM
Total
In urban
territory
In rural
territory
PERCENT OF
TOTAL 1
Urban
Rural
Sunday schools :
Churches reporting, number _
699
5,595
42, 455
13
79
367
20
125
962
5
26
477
71
630
5, 257
628
4,965
37, 198
13
79
367
19
117
918
5
26
477
10.2
1L3
12.4
89.8
88.7
87.6
Officers and teachers
Scholars..
Summer vacation Bible schools :
Churches reporting, number
Officers and teachers
Scholars
100.0
Weekday religious schools:
Churches reporting number
1
8
44
Officers and teachers
6.4
4.6
93.6
95 4
Scholars
Parochial schools :
Churches reporting, number
Officers and teachers
Scholars
100.0
1 Percent not shown where base is less than 100.
Comparative data, 1906-36. — Table 2 presents, in convenient form for com-
parison, a summary of the available statistics of the Free Will Baptists for the
census years 1936, 1926, 1916, and 1906.
TABLE 2. — COMPARATIVE SUMMARY, 1906 TO 1936
ITEM
1936
1936
1916
1906
Churches (local organizations), number
920
-104
—10.2
1,024
274
36.5
79, 592
24,759
45.2
78
770
765
$1, 156, 743
$1, 512
69
$32, 564
750
142
23.4
54, 833
14, 553
36.1
73
656
656
$517, 240
$788
42
$6, 260
608
Increase * over preceding census:
Niirnbftr
Percent
Members, number...
76, 643
-2,949
-3.7
83
714
692
$1, 090, 779
$1, 576
45
$21, 021
20
17
$17, 375
843
$192, 620
$88, 240
$10, 279
$40, 160
$7, 546
$11, 068
$12, 562
$5, 526
$2, 413
$3, 111
$11, 715
40, 280
Increase i over preceding census:
Number
Percent _
Average membership per church
66
556
554
$296, 585
$535
37
$3, 536
Church, edifices, number
Value — number reporting
Amount reported
Average value per church
Debt — number reporting
Atnoiint reported
Parsonages, ntiTTibP-r
Valiift — Tiiirnhftr reporting
9
$18,400
872
$252, 613
$179,730
$66, 557
$6, 326
$290
643
4,202
38,199
14
$9, 630
612
$75, 835
$64, 182
$11, 653
8
$3, 400
Ainotint reported
Expenditures :
Churches reporting, number
Amount reported . .
Pastors' salaries
All other salaries
Repairs and improvements
Payment on church debt, excluding interest
All other current expenses, including interest
Local relief and charity, Red Cross, etc
Home missions
Poreign missions .
To general headquarters for distribution
All other purposes _.
Not classified-
Average expenditure per church
$228
699
6,595
42,455
$124
390
2.547
22, 421
Sunday schools:
Churches reporting, immbftr.
263
1,440
12,720
Officers andlteachers _ _ -
Scholars
1 A minus sign (— ) denotes decrease.
FREE WILL BAPTISTS
169
State tables. — Tables 3, 4, 5, and 6 present the statistics for the Free Will
Baptists by States. Table 3 gives for each State for 1936 the number and member-
ship of the churches classified according to their location in urban or rural terri-
tory, membership classified by sex, and data for Sunday schools. Table 4 gives
the number and membership of the churches for the four census years 1906 to
1936, together with the membership for 1936 classified as "under 13 years of age7'
and "13 years of age and over." Table 5 shows the value of churches and parson-
ages and the amount of debt on church edifices for 1936. Table 6 presents, for
1936, the church expenditures, showing separately current expenses, improvements,
benevolences, etc.
Ecclesiastical divisions.— Table 7 presents, for each association of Free Will
Baptists, the more important statistical data for 1936 shown by States in the
preceding tables, including number of churches, membership, value and debt on
church edifices, expenditures, and Sunday schools.
TABLE 3. — NTTMBEE AND MEMBEKSHIP OF CHUBCHES IN URBAN AND RTTKAL
TERRITORY, MEMBERSHIP BY SEX, AND SUNDAY SCHOOLS, BY STATES, 1936
GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION AND
STATE
NUMBER OF
CHURCHES
NUMBER OP
MEMBERS
MEMBERSHIP BT SEX
SUNDAY SCHOOLS
,
1
"§
2
«
i
£
1
«
|
<D
•s
Sex not reported
£
§-
P.CJ
Churches reporting
13
§ e3
t_|
I
Scholars
United States
920
78
842
76,643
6,385
70, 258
29, 960
45, 489
1 244
flfi 9
699
5,595
13
332
718
"""68
1,818
293
258
121
11
648
551
72
363
319
10
42,455
105
2,189
4,099
""622
15,708
2,537
1,701
791
80
4,892
3,982
445
2,621
2,593
90
MEDDLE ATLANTIC:
Pennsylvania
1
1
37
96
9
11
231
33
62
26
8
53
1,925
7,006
472
490
26,230
2,577
5,449
2,540
1,116
178
662
53
1,747
6,344
472
490
24, 034
2,213
5,228
2,272
1,116
7,525
9,692
1,360
3,791
3,921
25
782
2,760
171
204
10, 165
1,042
2,089
973
477
2,978
4,346
640
1,619
1,635
54
28
1,122
4,037
301
285
15, 767
1,535
3,359
1,567
639
4,762
6,048
920
2,395
2,593
81
1
37
87
.....
212
35
35
19
1
84
77
8
53
41
1
EAST NORTH CENTRAL:
Ohio
40
104
ft
3
8
21
209
""I
298
_
~~522
114
""78
69.7
68.4
56.8
71.6
64.5
67.9
62.2
62.1
74.6
62.5
71 9
69.6
67.6
63.1
WEST NORTH CENTRAL:
Missouri
SOUTH ATLANTIC:
Virginia
West Virginia
11
North Carolina
255
40
64
30
8
24
7
2
4
2,196
364
221
268
South Carolina
Georgia
Florida
EAST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Kentucky
Tennessee
104
108
14
71
60
1
8
9
1
6
6
1
96
99
13
66
54
8,262
10,508
1,560
4,014
4,306
135
737
816
200
223
385
135
Albania
Mississippi
WEST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Arkansas --
Okl*vh<">mft
Texas
i Ratio not shown where number of females is less than 100.
170
CENSUS OF RELIGIOUS BODIES, 1936
TABLE 4. — NUMBER AND MEMBEESHIP OF CHTJBCHES, 1906 TO 1936, AND MEM-
BERSHIP BY AGE IN 1936, BY STATES
GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION
AND STATE
NUMBER OF
CHURCHES
NUMBER OF MEMBERS
MEMBERSHIP BY AGE,
1936
1936
1926
1916
1906
1936
1936
1916
1906
9
f!
VI j_,
J3 <»
M
TI
sS
Ot3
fl.g
aa
«3£
4oS
ll
& fl
PH o
United States
MIDDLE ATLANTIC:
Pennsylvania
920
1
1,024
750
'ii.avrs
608
76, 643
79, 592
54, 833
40, 280
1,095
65, 386
10, 162
1.6
53
1,925
53
1,690
EAST NORTH CENTRAL:
Ohio
40
39
1
1
30
2,014
75
38
26
5,261
30
1,425
50
185
2.9
Indians
Illinois
1
WEST NORTH CENTRAL:
Iowa
1
87
1
68
11
50
4,868
581
373
Missouri
104
7,006
181
6,004
821
2.9
Nebraska
Kansas
3
13
14
308
49
88
30
10
82
91
7
103
96
1
6
__...
253
31
95
26
4
51
82
18
62
22
12
83
465
456
31, 256
3,594
6,317
2,761
1,077
6,608
8,136
595
5,270
5,469
91
SOUTH ATLANTIC:
Virginia
9
11
255
40
64
30
8
104
108
14
71
60
1
1
7
284
41
77
26
"49"
42
1
10
29
11
472
490
26, 230
2,577
5,449
2,540
1,116
8,262
10, 508
1,560
4,014
4,306
135
64
193
22, 518
2,649
4,500
1,424
3
3
349
25
41
21
469
307
22, 070
2,068
4,696
2,159
939
6,650
9,407
1,465
3,676
3,603
130
.6
1.0
1.6
1.2
.9
1.0
"l.~7
1.3
1.3
.4
3.9
3.7
West Virginia
296
22,914
2,281
6,152
1,424
344
4,681
5,854
921
2,926
680
458
180
3,811
484
712
360
177
1,498
975
76
325
558
North Carolina
South Carolina __ „_
Georgia
Florida
EAST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Kentucky
Tennessee
3,093
2,213
35
371
1,288
507
114
126
19
13
145
5
Alabama »
Mississippi— ._
WEST SOUTH CENTRAL;
Arkansas
Oklahoma
Texas
1 Based on membership with age classification reported.
FREE WILL BAPTISTS
171
TABLE 5. — VALUE OF CHURCHES AND PARSONAGES AND AMOUNT OF CHURCH
DEBT BY STATES, 1936
GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION
AND STATE
Total
number
of
churches
Num-
ber of
church
edifices
VALUE OF CHURCH
EDIFICES
DEBT ON CHURCH
EDIFICES
VALUE OF PAR-
SONAGES
Churches
reporting
Amount
Churches
reporting
Amount
Churches
reporting
Amount
United States. .
920
714
692
$1, 090, 779
45
$21,021
17
$17,375
MIDDLE ATLANTIC:
Pennsylvania „
1
40
104
9
11
255
40
64
30
8
104
108
14
71
60
1
EAST NOETH CENTRAL:
Ohio
34
75
5
7
228
35
59
27
4
77
90
14
38
20
1
33
73
5
7
222
33
58
27
4
75
86
14
34
20
1
65, 450
81, 325
3,975
8,542
436,866
58, 264
60, 325
21,460
8,100
128,200
81, 547
18, 100
23,600
} 395,025
1
2
2
1,200
370
129
WEST NORTH CENTRAL:
Missouri .
1
0)
SOUTH ATLANTIC:
Virginia
West Virginia
North Carolina
South Carolina
17
5
1
1
1
4
7
2
13, 445
1,349
560
56
1,000
212
2,395
210
4
1
3
8.000
C1)
2, "00
Georgia
Florida
EAST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Kentucky
1
2
2
1
0)
8
0)
Tennessee . ..
Alabama.
Mississippi
WEST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Arkansas
Oklahoma
2
95
2
(0
6,875
Texas
Combinations
i Amount included in figures on the line designated "Combinations," to avoid disclosing the statistics
of any individual church.
3 Amount for Oklahoma combined with figures for Texas, to avoid disclosing the statistics of any indi-
vidual church.
172 CENSUS' OF RELIGIOUS BODIES, 3936
TABLE 6. — CHTJECH EXPENDITUKBS BY STATES, 1936
GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION
AND STATE
Total
number
of
churches
EXPENDITURES
Churches
reporting
Total
amount
Pastors'
salaries
All other
salaries
Repairs
and im-
provements
United States ....
920
1
40
104
Q
11
255
40
64
30
8
104
108
14
71
60
1
843
1
38
92
6
11
252
39
63
29
4
97
95
13
55
47
1
$192, 620
888,240
2,989
7,689
135
1,070
38, 607
5,084
5,408
1,538
70
10, 305
6,455
1,398
2,713
4,779
$10, 279
352
870
18
85
5,223
203
490
143
60
1,071
678
265
316
505
$40, 160
MIDDLE ATLANTIC:
Pennsylvania
t 18,827
14, 268
816
2,051
90, 050
10, 293
10, 722
2,791
1,274
18, 517
17, 684
3,065
4,467
[ 27,795
2,241
1,793
355
175
16, 831
2,002
2,873
499
338
3,724
7,064
1,005
381
879
EAST NORTH CENTRAL:
Ohio
WEST NORTH CENTRAL-
Missouri -
SOUTH ATLANTIC:
Virginia _- -
West Virginia
North Carolina
South Carolina -
Georgia
Florida _.
EAST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Kentucky
Tennessee
Alabama
Mississippi ... -
WEST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Arkansas .
Oklahoma
Texas -
GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION
AND STATE
EXPENDITURES— continued
Payment
on church
debt,exclud-
ing interest
Other cur-
rent expen-
ses, includ-
ing interest
Local re-
lief and
charity
Home
missions
Foreign
missions
To gen-
eral head-
quarters
All other
purposes
United States
$7, 546
$11, 068
S12, 562
$5, 526
$2, 413
$3, 111
100
94
$11,715
852
449
MIDDLE ATLANTIC:
Pennsylvania
I 640
927
30
1,046
1,014
10
99
5,418
744
152
183
160
1,051
450
24
354
363
131
166
261
60
8,176
498
463
58
93
590
1,415
65
247
339
157
648
7
68
2,448
291
407
45
319
618
EAST NORTH CENTRAL:
Ohio
WEST NORTH CENTRAL:
Missouri
SOUTH ATLANTIC:
Virginia
West Virginia. _.
31
896
16
157
7
56
1,716
285
222
41
8
328
113
407
7,851
550
163
36
45
241
683
35
135
268
North Carolina
2,884
620
387
241
500
500
440
208
74
} 95
South Carolina
Georgia
Florida ~_
EAST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Kentucky
Tennessee .. „
421
348
62
154
470
286
38
3
25
17
Alabama
Mississippi
WEST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Arkansas
68
80
Oklahoma __
Texas
* Amount for Pennsylvania combined with figures for Ohio, to avoid disclosing the statistics of any in-
dividual church.
* Amount for Oklahoma combined with figures for Texas, to avoid disclosing the statistics of any indi-
vidual church.
FREE WILL BAPTISTS
173
TABLE 7. — NUMBER AND MEMBERSHIP OF CHURCHES, VALUE AND DEBT ON
CHURCH EDIFICES, EXPENDITURES, AND SUNDAY SCHOOLS, BY ASSOCIATIONS,
1936
ASSOCIATION
Total number of churches
Number of members
VALUE OP
CHUECH EDI-
FICES
DEBT ON
CHUECH EDI-
FICES
EXPENDI-
TURES
SUNDAY
SCHOOLS
2
bfl
»!
*o o
IP,
O
«
!
£
M
ll
o ®
XJ
O
"S
i
i
fafl
s5
•sg
t-i G
3
*a
O
a
o
£
euo
it
3
43
O
1
m
Total
920
78, 643
692
SI, 090, 779
45
821, 021
295
1,800
843
$192, 620
699
42, 455
Alabama:
Oahaba River _
18
19
8
20
10
7
10
11
8
6
1
1
5
10
5
1
9
10
12
7
8
4
14
3
12
2
2
7
12
13
4
14
12
2
4
2
1
1
12
1
11
2
9
8
9
10
1
12
33
2
899
2.327
480
1,290
614
616
943
1,983
433
626
170
118
214
640
217
70
542
655
613
563
270
230
1,287
458
851
46
211
387
1, 023
1,459
183
1,277
909
120
892
147
34
78
1,398
84
351
120
764
572
678
340
40
1,217
2,371
30
14
16
5
8
8
6
8
10
4
5
1
1
2
5
1
1
6
1
9
5
2
2
12
2
12
2
2
7
12
12
4
12
9
1
4
6,925
21, 900
1,525
6,700
8,400
8,500
6,180
7,850
3,600
7,132
8
3,250
(9
0)
3,950
("
6,100
3.250
0)
0)
11,000
0)
8,720
0)
0)
5,250
10, 050
14, 800
2,500
19, 625
6,000
0)
8,100
4
1
15
18
7
9
10
6
8
10
7
4
1
1
2
9
3
1
7
7
11
7
5
3
14
3
11
2
2
6
12
13
4
14
12
2
2
1
927
8,274
683
1,246
1,060
1,698
1,212
805
727
795
0)
0)
0)
649
86
(9
413
321
770
1,248
359
392
1,017
408
1,427
CO
C1)
1,472
919
2,575
275
4,010
1,132
CO
8
13
13
6
5
8
6
7
9
6
3
1
1
3
9
2
I
4
7
10
6
7
4
9
2
8
1
557
775
249
258
429
362
342
439
296
165
120
30
105
405
88
45
259
295
572
326
330
196
416
64
327
24
Jasper .
Morning; Star
Mount Moriah
Muscle Shoals State Line—-
Progressive
1
200
Southeastern .
State Line
Tennessee River...
Vernon.
1
100
Yellow Creek
TJnassociated _
Arkansas:
Antioch
Arkansas
Big Springs
Cave Springs
New Hope...
Old Mount Zion
Polk Bayou
Saline
Social Band
Zion TFTopQ-
Florida:
Paletn
State Line
West Florida-Liberty ..
1
56
Martin
Georgia:
Chattahoochee
Little River
2
5
10
4
10
4
1
1
102
264
477
152
509
197
40
80
Martin United
Midway—
I
560
Ogeechee
South Georgia. .. —
Union ...... .
Kentucky:
Cumberland
Johnson ._
1
1,000
Pike
Unassociated
Mississippi:
Little Brown Creek
1
12
1
5
1
6
3
8
7
0)
17, 100
0)
5,200
* 5,900
%550
5,450
7,550
1
12
(i)
2,940
Northeastern Mississippi
Tennessee River
2
210
8
445
Missouri:
Cave Springs
9
2
9
5
9
9
492
2,422
467
1,022
1,306
7
2
8
6
7
9
270
110
520
275
241
340
Central Western Missouri
and Southeast Kansas
Indian Creek
2
370
Laclede Country
NIagua
Northeast Missouri
Social Band
Southeast Missouri
10
27
1
21, 500
19, 075
0)
12
31
3,978
3,109
11
30
992
1,114
Union
1 Amount included in figures on the line designated
of any individual church.
"Combinations," to avoid disclosing the statistics
174
CENSUS OF RELIGIOUS BODIES, 19 36
TABLE 7. — NTJMBEK AND MEMBERSHIP OF CHURCHES, VALUE AND DEBT ON
CHURCH EDIFICES, EXPENDITURES, AND SUNDAY SCHOOLS, BY ASSOCIATIONS,
1936 — Continued
ASSOCIATION
8
i
,Q
1
e
Number of members
VALUE OF
CHURCH EDI-
FICES
DEBT ON
CHURCH EDI-
FICES
EXPENDI-
TURES
SUNDAY
SCHOOLS
Churches re-
porting
Amount
Churches re-
porting
e
bfl
m a
£
cojf
Scholars
Amount
P
A
O
Amount
Church*
port
North Carolina:
Beaver Creek
8
23
45
52
6
9
8
2
2
19
35
16
29
40
1
3
9
5
12
5
6
1
4
3
1
10
7
9
4
2
14
5
22
2
7
17
17
4
27
4
2
1
2
6
5
2
1
2
2
2
5
757
3,023
6,414
5,736
635
856
704
99
94
1,260
4,153
564
1,870
1,925
29
264
593
627
893
309
454
66
258
235
39
539
467
469
210
30
1,352
114
2,606
161
452
1,443
1,211
369
1,542
282
79
135
159
278
376
147
35
63
81
78
268
7
20
42
43
4
8
8
2
1
17
28
14
27
33
$11, 100
56, 066
98, 250
92, 650
12,000
6,600
8,550
CO
CO
16, 450
62, 800
15, 450
52, 950
65, 450
1
2
1
2
1
$300
3,680
180
2,100
100
8
23
45
52
5
9
8
2
2
19
35
15
28
38
1
3
5
4
8
4
5
1
4
3
$5,654
11,835
18, 901
16, 825
870
1,669
3,230
CO
CO
1,817
10, 775
3,644
14, 103
8,042
CO
517
1,134
561
994
956
442
CO
171
281
7
19
34
41
5
8
6
2
2
18
32
14
23
37
1
3
7
4
5
4
3
1
3
2
825
1,984
2,430
2,759
288
503
465
90
123
853
2,735
726
1,802
2,189
105
175
348
315
251
229
305
60
220
110
Orginal Cape Fear
Central
Eastern
French Broad
Jacks Creek
Pee Dee >
1
700
Rock Fish
St Anna
Toe River
2
4
lio
265
Western . -
"Vinirningtnn
Cape Fear Holiness— . _ _..
3
1
6,010
1,200
Ohio:
Ohio River
Oklahoma:
Beulah
Canadian
2
3
2
3
2
3
2,700
2'co25
5,300
1
25
Center
Dibble
Eureka
First Oklahoma
Grand River
Hopewell No 1
2
1
CO
TJna^sociated
"RBSt^rn Oklahoma
Hopewell No. 2
2
6
5
3
2
14
4
18
2
4
10
13
2
19
4
1
1
1
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
4
CO
14,980
3, 527*
1,950
CO
23, 182
15, 300
29, 250
3,400
6,550
26, 500
CO
53, 000
4,600
CO
1
1
1
70
105
19
9
7
9
4
2
13
5
22
2
7
16
16
2
25
4
1
1
1
5
4
2
2,245
3,024
1,527
406
CO
4,126
1,288
5,409
CO
493
1,761
2,395
CO
6,723
830
CO
CO
CO
440
814
CO
8
6
4
1
13
5
17
2
6
11
17
2
24
1
2
1
475
508
358
239
25
1,219
313
995
80
211
586
1,084
93
1,633
50
145
90
South Carolina:
Beaver Creek _-,
Eastern .
Pee Dee
Rock Fish
South Carolina No. 1
South Carolina No. 2
3
1,225
Tennessee:
Jack Creek
Muscle Shoals State Line —
Stone
1
2
8
99
Toe River CN. C.)
Tennessee River
Union. » . . _
1
.105
"Wautaugua
TTnassociated
Texas:
Hopewell
Virginia:
Jo^n Thornfts
CO
1,850
9,300
8
8
&>
115, 717
Sandy Valley
2
129
Northwest
5
2
167
70
Southwest
Pike County
West Virginia:
Bo one
2
2
2
5
261
7,821
2
2
1
3
140
170
97
215
Logan
Yearly Meeting..
Mingo
Combinations. _
i Amount included in figures on the line designated
of any individual church.
'Combinations," to avoid disclosing the statistics
FREE WILL BAPTISTS 175
HISTORY, DOCTRINE, AND ORGANIZATION 1
DENOMINATIONAL HISTORY
One of the influential factors in early Baptist history, especially in the Middle
States, was a Welsh church, organized in Wales in 1701, which emigrated the
same year to Pennsylvania. Two years later it received a grant of land known
as the "Welsh Tract," where the colony prospered and was able to send a num-
ber of able ministers to various sections. One of these, Elder Paul Palmer,
gathered a company in North Carolina and, in 1727, organized a church at
Perquimans, in Chowan County. The principal element appears to have been
Arminian, in sympathy with certain communities in Virginia which had received
ministerial assistance from the General Baptists of England. There was no
thought, however, of organizing a separate denomination, the object being
primarily to provide a church home for the community, a place for the adminis-
tration of the ordinances, and for the teaching of Christian ethics.
Under the labors of Elder Palmer and other ministers whom he ordained,
additional churches were organized, which grew rapidly, considering the sparsely
settled country, and an organization was formed, called a yearly meeting, includ-
ing 16 churches, 16 ministers, and probably 1,000 communicants, in 1752. As
the Philadelphia Association of Calvinistic Baptists increased in strength, a
considerable number of these Arminian churches were won over to that confes-
sion, so that only four remained undivided. These, however, rallied, reorganized,
and, being later reinforced by Free Will Baptists from the North, especially
from Maine, regained most of the lost ground.
In the early part of their history they do not appear to have had a distinctive
name. They were afterward called "Free Will Baptists," and most of them
became known later as "Original Free Will Baptists." They were so listed in
the report on religious bodies, census of 1890, but have since preferred to drop
the term "Original" and be called simply "Free Win Baptists."
In 1836 they were represented by delegates in a General Conference of Free
Will Baptists throughout the United States, but after the Civil War they held
their own conferences. In recent years they have drawn to themselves a number
of churches of similar faith throughout the Southern States, and have increased
greatly in strength. They hold essentially the same doctrines as the Free
Baptist churches of the North, now a part of the Northern Baptist Convention,
have the same form of ecclesiastical polity, and are to some degree identified
with the same interests, missionary and educational.
As the movement for the union of the Free Baptist churches with the Northern
Baptist Convention developed, some who did not care to join in that movement
affiliated with the Free Will Baptists.
DOCTRINE
The Free Will Baptists accept the five points of Arminianism as opposed to
the five points of Calvinism, and in a confession of faith of 18 articles de-
clare that Christ "freely gave himself a ransom for all, tasting death for every
man"; that "God wants all to come to repentance"; and that "all men, at one
time or another, are found in such capacity as that, through the grace of God,
they may be eternally saved."
Believers' baptism is considered the only true principle, and immersion the only
correct form; but no distinction is made in the invitation to the Lord's Supper,
and Free Will Baptists uniformly practice open communion. They further
believe in foot washing and anointing the sick with oil.
ORGANIZATION
In polity the Free Will Baptists are distinctly congregational. Quarterly con-
ferences for business purposes are held in which all members may participate.
The officers of the church are the pastor, clerk, treasurer, deacons, who have
charge of the preparations for the communion service and care for the poor, and
elders, who care for the spiritual interests of the churches and settle controversies
between brethren. The quarterly conferences are united in State bodies, vari-
ously called conferences or associations, and there is an annual conference repre-
senting the entire denomination.
* No revision of history, doctrine, or organization was furnished by this body for 1936, hence this state-
ment is the same as that published in Religious Bodies, vol. n, 1926. No data are available for "Work" in
1936.
UNITED AMERICAN FREE WILL BAPTIST CHURCH
(COLORED)
STATISTICS
Summary for tlie "(Tinted States, with urban-rural classification. — A general
summary of the statistics for the United American Free Will Baptist Church
(Colored) for the year 1936 is presented in table 1, which shows also the dis-
tribution of these figures between urban and rural territory.
The membership of this denomination consists of persons who have been
admitted to the local churches upon profession of faith and baptism by immersion.
TABLE 1. — SUMMARY OF STATISTICS FOR CHURCHES IN URBAN AND RURAL
TERRITORY, 1936
ITEM
Total
In urban
territory
In rural
territory
PERCENT OF
TOTAL *
Urban
Rural
Ch.urch.6s (local organizations), number
226
19, 616
87
6,056
13, 560
44.7
2,292
16,973
351
11.9
208
207
$468,883
$459, 650
$9, 233
$2,265
20
$18, 812
167
2
1
$2,000
226
$79, 712
$34, 842
$5, 671
$11,044
$4,778
$6,230
$3, 796
$2, 079
$42
$7, 223
$4, 007
$353
52
6,770
130
2,038
4,732
43.1
819
5,776
175
12.4
48
47
$165, 325
$164, 950
$375
$3, 518
10
$15, 751
33
174
12,846
74
4,018
8,828
45.5
1,473
11, 197
176
11.6
160
160
$303, 558
$294, 700
$8, 858
$1,897
10
$3, 061
134
2
1
$2,000
174
$52, 194
$24, 117
$3, 523
$8,328
$1,504
$3,275
$2,297
$1,402
$42
$5, 127
$2,679
$300
23.0
34.5
77.0
65.5
Members, number
Average m&mbership per church
Membership by sex:
Male
33.7
34.9
66.3
65.1
Female... _ ._ __ __
Males per 100 females
Membership by age:
Under 13 years ..
35.7
34.0
49.9
64.3
66.0
50.1
13 years and over. __ .__
Age not reported ___ . _
Percent under 13 years 2
ChijtYs^ fidifloAS, Ttumber ^
23.1
22.7
35.3
35.9
4.1
76 9
77.3
64 7
64.1
95.9
Value — number reporting
Amount reported
Constructed prior to 1936
Constructed, wholly or in part, in 1936.
Average value per church
Debt — number reporting
Amount reported
83.7
19.8
16.3
80.2
jSTriTtibp-r reporti'njj "no de-ht"
Parsonages, number. ~ ..
Value — number reporting
Amount reported
100.0
77.0
65.5
69.2
62.1
75.4
31.5
52.6
60.5
67.4
Expenditures :
Churches reporting, number
52
$27, 518
$10, 725
$2, 148
$2, 716
$3,274
$2, 955
$1,499
$677
23.0
34.5
30.8
37.9
24.6
68.5
47.4
39.5
32.6
Amount reported . „
Pastors' salaries
All other salaries
Repairs amd im pro vflm Ants ^ _ r
Payment on church debt, excluding in-
terest
All other current expenses, including in-
terest
Local relief and charity, Bed Cross, etc...
JToTn« misfsfnns
Foreign missions
To general headquarters for distribution..
All other purposes
$2,096
$1,428
$529
29.0
35.6
71.0
64.4
Average expenditure per church
* Percent not shown where base is less than 100.
* Based on membership with age classification reported.
176
UNITED AMEBIOAN FREE WILL BAPTIST CHURCH
177
TABLE 1. — SUMMARY OF STATISTICS FOR CHURCHES IN URBAN AND RURAL
TERRITORY, 1936 — Continued
ITEM
Total
In urban
In rural
PERCE*
TOT
*TOr
AL1
Urban
Rural
Sunday schools:
Churches reporting, number
200
50
150
25.0
75.0
Officers and teachers.
1,535
437
1,098
28.5
71.5
Scholars
8 317
2,734
5,583
32.9
67.1
Summer vacation Bible schools :
Churches reporting, number
3
2
1
Officers ancTteachers
31
17
14
Scholars
115
80
35
69.6
30.4
Weekday religious schools :
Ohiirohea reporting, nnrnhftr
4
1
3
Officers and "teachers
29
9
20
Scholars
295
45
250
15.3
84.7
i Percent not shown where base is less than 100.
Comparative data, 1906-36. — Table 2 presents, in convenient form for com-
parison, a summary of the available statistics of the United American Free Will
Baptist Church (Colored) for the census years 1936, 1926, 1916, and 1906. In
1916 this body was reported under the name of Colored Free Will Baptists.
TABLE 2. — COMPAEATIVE SUMMARY, 1906 TO 1936
ITEM
1936
1936
1916
1906
Gh.TU""'hft8 Onftft! organizations), irnrnbftr
226
166
169
247
Increase * over preceding census:
"Nllinhflr
60
—3
—78
Percent .__
36.1
—1.8
-31 6
19, 616
13, 396
13, 362
14, 489
Increase l over preceding census:
Number
6,220
34
—1, 127
Percent -
46.4
0.3
-7.8
Average rnernbership per church
87
81
79
59
Church *?difllofis, nnrnber
208
144
164
152
Value — number reporting
207
142
164
151
Amount reported _ __
$468,883
$308, 425
$178, 385
$79, 278
Average value per church -
$2. 265
$2, 172
$1,088
$525
Debt — number reporting
20
39
35
22
Amount reported **
$18, 812
$7, 962
$9, 525
$3,485
Parsonages number
2
Value — number reporting
1
2
6
Amount reported
$2, 000
$1, 300
$1, 475
Expenditures:
Churches reporting, "nninber
226
158
168
Amount reported - --
$79, 712
$67, 773
$36, 647
Pastors* salaries
$34,842
1
All other salaries
$5, 671
Repairs and improvements
$11, 044
> $46, 494
$27, 341
Payment on church debt, excluding Interest.™
All other current expenses, including interest-
Local relief and charity, Eed Cross, etc —
Home missions — -
$4,778
$6, 230
$3, 796
$2,079
j
Foreign missions
$42
> $13, 090
$9,306
To general headquarters for distribution
$7,223
f
All other purposes
$4,007
)
Not classified*
$8,189
Average expenditure per church
$353
$429
$218
Sunday schools :
Churches reporting number
200
144
87
100
1,535
836
483
382
Scholars -
8,317
5,077
4,168
3,307
'A minus sign (— ) denotes decrease.
178
CENSUS1 OF RELIGIOUS BODIES, 1936
State tables. — Tables 3, 4, 5, and 6 present the statistics for the United Ameri-
can Free Will Baptist Church (Colored) by States. Table 3 gives for each
State for 1936 the number and membership of the churches classified according
to their location in urban or rural territory, membership classified by sex, and
data for Sunday schools. Table 4 gives for selected States the number and
membership of the churches for the four census years 1906 to 1936, together
with the membership for 1936 classified as "under 13 years of age" and "13 years
of age and over." Table 5 shows the value of church edifices and the amount
of debt on such property for 1936. Table 6 presents, for 1936, the church ex-
penditures, showing separately current expenses, improvements, benevolences,
etc. In order to avoid disclosing the financial statistics of any individual church,
separate presentation in tables 5 and 6 is limited to those States in which three or
more churches reported value and expenditures.
Ecclesiastical divisions. — Table 7 presents, for each conference in the United
American Free Will Baptist Church (Colored) , the more important statistical data,
for 1936 shown by States in the preceding tables, including number of churches,
membership, value and debt on church edifices, expenditures, and Sunday schools.
TABLE 3. — NUMBER AND MEMBERSHIP OF CHURCHES IN URBAN AND RURAL
TERRITORY, MEMBERSHIP BY SEX, AND SUNDAY SCHOOLS, BY STATES, 1936
NUMBER OF
NUMBER OP
MEMBERSHIP
SUNDAY
CHURCHES
MEMBERS
BY SE3
SCHOOLS
GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION
fc,A
S M
" £
AND STATE
dfl
CDn-) CP
w
i— .
PI
r- 1
p2
w 45
n"£
«E3
~
3
s
-S
rQ
g
s
<o a cfl
^2 F!
3&
£*g
e
P
rt
S
P
tf
s
&
a p
d£
O
United States...
226
52
174
19, 616
6,770
12, 846
6,056
13, 560
44.7
200
1,535
8,317
SOUTH ATLANTIC:
North Carolina
137
?9
108
15, 679
5,199
10, 480
4,729
10, 950
43.2
125
1,074
6,454
South Carolina
2
2
51
51
19
32
2
11
30
Georgia
54
9
45
2,081
580
1,501
679
1,402
48.4
43
231
1,058
Florida
6
4
2
305
240
65
113
192
58.9
6
39
131
EAST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Kentucky
1
1
38
38
14
24
Alabama
1
1
50
50
10
40
1
6
26
Mississippi
4
2
2
238
186
52
72
166
43.4
4
26
67
WEST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Arkansas -
2
2
90
90
39
51
1
8
35
Louisiana
6
5
1
430
414
16
165
265
62.3
5
47
183
Texas _-
13
3
10
654
151
503
216
438
49.3
13
93
333
i Ratio not shown where number of females is less than 100.
TABLE 4. — NUMBER AND MEMBERSHIP OF CHtrBCBGEs, 1906 TO 1936, AND MEM-
BEESHIP BY AGE IN 1936, BY STATES
[Separate presentation is limited to States having 3 or more churches in either 1936, 1926, 1916, or 1906]
<3TATE
NUMBER OF CHURCHES
NUMBER or MEMBERS
MEMBERSHIP BY AGE, 1936
1936
1996
1916
1906
1936
1926
1916
1906
Un-
der
13
years
13
years
and
over
Age
not re-
ported
Per-
cent
under
13i
United States
niinois
226
166
169
247
19, 616
13, 396
13, 362
14,489
2,292
16, 973
351
11.9
3
241
10, 773
1,592
North Carolina
137
54
6
117
31
112
35
129
93
18
6
15, 679
2,081
305
50
238
430
654
179
11, 112
1,391
10,099
3,680
388
272
2,126
41
5
13, 478
2,040
125
75
13.6
2.0
3.8
Georgia
Florida
175
50
Alabama .
1
4
6
13
6
5
7
— ._
8
300
189
404
Mississippi
290
276
1
46
62
11
237
384
592
117
.4
12.0
9.5
8.6
Louisiana ,
Texas
Other States
25
4
1
190
50
51
i Based on membership with age classification reported.
* Includes: South Carolina, 2; Kentucky, 1; and Arkansas, 2.
UNITED' AMERICAN FREE WILL BAPTIST CHURCH
179
TABLE 5. — VALUE OF CHURCHES AND AMOUNT OF CHURCH DEBT BY
STATES, 1936
[Separate presentation is limited to States having 3 or more churches reporting value of edifices]
STATE
Total
number of
churches
Number
of church
edifices
VALUE OF CHURCH
EDIFICES
DEBT ON CHUECH
EDIFICES
Churches
reporting
Amount
Churches
reporting
Amount
United States
226
208
207
$468, 883
381, 250
52,850
8,200
6,433
3,625
13, 525
3,000
20
8
5
2
3
1
1
318,812
15, 850
1,467
368
843
25
259
North Carolina
137
54
6
4
6
13
fi
135
45
6
4
5
10
3
135
45
5
4
5
10
13
Georgia
Florida
tV3 ississippi
Louisiana
Texas...
Other States
1 Includes: South Carolina, 1; Kentucky, 1; and Alabama, 1.
TABLE 6. — CHURCH EXPENDITURES BY STATES, 1936
[Separate presentation is limited to States having 3 or more churches reporting]
STATE
Total
num-
ber of
churches
EXPENDITURES
Churches
reporting
Total
amount
Pastors'
salaries
All other
salaries
Repairs
and
improve-
ments
United States
226
226
$79, 712
$34,842
$5, 671
$11,044
North Carolina -
137
54
6
4
6
13
6
137
54
6
4
6
13
i 6
55,440
14,005
2,244
1,450
1, 363
4,325
885
23,222
6,898
1,081
453
820
1,958
410
4,472
433
150
166
129
156
165
7,005
2,741
224
232
137
645
60
Georgia
Florida
Mississippi. -
Louisiana
Texas
Other States.
vSTATE
EXPENDITURES— continued
Pay-
ment on
church
debt,
exclud-
ing in-
terest
Other
current
expenses,
including
interest
Local re-
lief and
charity
Home
missions
Foreign
missions
To gen-
eral
head-
quarters
All
other
purposes
United States
$4, 778
86,230
$3,796
$2, 079
_
772
43
24
95
152
45
$42
_—
$7,223
6,050
650
137
189
63
60
71
$4, 007
2,734
839
90
]9
32
167
126
North Carolina , .
3,398
344
290
201
4,910
677
97
145
20
381
2,671
651
132
21
67
249
5
Georgia .
Florida
Mississippi
Louisiana
Texas .
545
12
Other States
1 Includes: South Carolina, 2; Kentucky, 1; Alabama, 1; and Arkansas, 2.
275318—41 13
ISO
CENSUS OF RELIGIOUS BODIES, 1936
TABLE 7. — NUMBER AND MEMBEESHIP OF CHURCHES, VALUE AND DEBT ON
CHURCH EDIFICES, EXPENDITURES, AND SUNDAY SCHOOLS, BY CONFERENCES,
1936
o
h
eo cfi
a
VALUE OF
CHURCH
EDIFICES
DEBT ON
CHURCH
EDIFICES
EXPENDI-
TUEEvS
SUNDAY
SCHOOLS
01
1
•
,
A
CONFEKENCE
S3 %
£„„
£„,
sw
2Kn
«-s
*3
£
rQ
it
1
H
I
sa
P
fl
II
CO
£
s
3 £•
£»
Sft
o
o
3
.a
a
A
»CJ
a
rCJ
EH
£
O
4
0
^
Q
0
0
02
Total
226
19, 616
207
$468, 883
20
$18,812
226
$79, 712
200
8,317
Cape Fear
16
1,416
16
47, 000
16
4, 958
12
413
Georgia HI astern
11
271
280
6
9
9,750
9,000
2
1,140
7
11
3,624
1, 248
6
8
141
134
Mount Hosea
Northeast of North Carolina _.
51
6,174
49
115, 800
5
1,550
51
20,008
48
3,282
Northwest of North Carolina ._
67
7.8S9
67
215, 650
3
14, 300
67
29, 765
62
2,659
Southern
18
834
15
19, 200
2
267
18
4,541
16
371
Southwest
17
691
14
15, 400
1
60
17
4,497
12
404
Texas
9
470
6
6,525
9
3,171
9
238
Unassociated
30
1,591
25
30, 558
7
1, 495
30
7,902
27
675
HISTORY, DOCTRINE, AND ORGANIZATION '
DENOMINATIONAL HISTORY
For some years after the Civil War the lines between the white and colored
Free Will Baptist churches in the Southern States seem not to have been drawn
very sharply. As, however, the latter increased in number and in activity, there
arose among them a desire for a separate organization. Their ministers and
evangelists, together with others, had gathered a number of churches in North
Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and Florida, and had met with such success that in
1901 they were organized as a separate denomination. While ecclesiastically
distinct, these Negro Baptists are in close relation with the white Free Will Baptist
churches of the Southern States, and trace their origin to the early Arminian
Baptist churches of the Carolinas and Virginia and the Free Baptist movement in
New England.
DOCTRINE AND ORGANIZATION
In doctrine the United American Free Will Baptists (Colored) are in sub-
stantial agreement with the white churches of the same faith. In polity the local
churches are not as completely autonomous as is the case in the other Free Will
Baptist bodies. The denomination has a system of quarterly, annual, and
general conferences, with a graded authority. Thus, while the local church is
independent so far as concerns its choice of officers, its government, and the
transaction of its business, any doctrinal question which it cannot decide is
taken to the district quarterly conference or to the annual conference. The
district conference has no jurisdiction over the individual members of the local
church, but can labor with the church as a body and exclude it from fellowship.
In the same way the annual conference, sometimes called an "association,"
has authority in matters of doctrine over the district or quarterly conference;
and the general conference has similar jurisdiction over the annual conference.
The general conference has also supervision over the denominational activities
of the church, including missions, education, and Sabbath school work, and
general movements, as those for temperance, moral reform, and Sabbath
observance.
' No revision of history, doctrine, or organization was furnished by this body for 1936, hence this statement
is the same as that published in Religious Bodies, vol. II, 1926. No data are available for "Work" in 1936.
GENERAL
STATISTICS
Summary for the United States, with urban-rural classification. — A general
summary of the statistics for the General Baptists for the year 1936 is presented
in table 1, which shows also the distribution of these figures between urban and
rural territory.
The membership of this denomination consists of those persons who have been
admitted to the local churches (by vote of the members) upon profession of
faith and baptism (by immersion).
TABLE 1. — SUMMARY OF STATISTICS FOR CHURCHES IN URBAN AND RURAL
TERRITORY, 1936
ITEM
Total
In urban
territory
In rural
territory
PEECENT OF
TOTAL *
Urban
Rural
Ch.urch.es (local organizations), number
422
30, 573
87
11, 387
17, 265
7,921
66.0
5,652
24,786
6,135
IS. 6
316
297
$555, 309
$543,762
$11, 547
$1,870
29
$26, 365
150
17
16
$31, 000
406
$103, 799
$49, 148
$9,456
$16, 302
$4,571
$10, 304
$1,303
$1,935
$903
$3,059
$6,818
$256
42
4,713
112
1,798
2,775
140
64.8
262
3,873
578
6.3
33
31
$169, 260
$168,760
$500
$5,460
11
$18, 205
13
6
6
$12, 400
39
$39, 121
$15, 352
$3,378
$7, 690
$3,692
$4,843
$627
$501
$622
$730
$1, 686
$1,003
380
31, 860
84
9,589
14, 490
7,781
66.2
5,390
20,913
5,557
20.5
283
266
$386,049
$375,002
$11,047
$1, 451
18
$8,160
137
11
10
$18,600
367
$64, 678
$33,796
$6,078
$8,612
$879
$5,461
$676
$1,434
$281
$2,329
$5, 132
$176
10.0
12.9
90.0
87.1
MfirnhfiF*? , TUTrnhpT T ^ ^ „ „„,„,„ ^ , „
Av6FBg6 membership p6r chTirofo
Membership by sex:
Male
15.8
16.1
1.8
84.2
83.9
98.2
Female
Sex not reported _
Mal^s per 100 females
Membership by age:
Under 13 years
4.6
15.6
9.4
95.4
84.4
90.6
13 years and over
Age not reported
Percent under 13 years2
Church, edifices, number _ -
10.4
10.4
30.5
31.0
4.3
89.6
89.6
69.5
69.0
95.7
Value — nuinhfir reporting
Amount reported _-
Constructed prior to 1936
Constructed, wholly or in part, in 1936.
Average value per church
Defrt; — number reporting
Amount reported-- _«»__
69.0
"8.7
31,0
91.3
Number reporting "no debt"
ppTsnnagfif!, tnrmhp.r
Value — number reporting
ArnooTlt f^portftfl
40.0
9.6
37.7
31.2
35.7
47.2
80.8
47.0
48.1
25.9
68.9
23.9
24.7
60.0
90.4
62.3
68.8
64.3
52.8
19.2
53.0
51.9
74.1
31.1
76.1
75.3
Expenditures :
Churches reporting number
Amount reported
Pastors' salaries ~~
All other salaries
Repairs and improvements
Payment on church debt, excluding
interest
All other current expenses, including
interest
Local relief and charity, Red Cross, etc...
Home missions
foreign missions . . „ , „ . ^ , ,„,--,
To general headquarters for distribution.-
All other purposes
Average excenditure t>er church
1 Percent not shown where base is less than 100.
z Based on membership with age classification reported.
181
182
CENSUS OF RELIGIOUS BODIES, 1930
TABLE 1. — SUMMARY OF STATISTICS FOR CHURCHES IN URBAN AND RURAL
TERRITORY, 1936 — Continued
ITEM
Total
In urban
territory
In rural
territory
PERCENT OF
TOTAL 1
Urban
Kural
Sunday schools :
Churches reporting, number
aoi
2,651
17, 562
21
125
880
5
14
152
1
3
39
33
458
3,835
6
54
475
1
1
37
268
2,193
13,727
15
71
405
4
13
115
1
3
39
11.0
17.3
21.8
89.0
82.7
78.2
Officers and teachers
Scholars
Summer vacation Bible schools:
Oh^rnlips reporting, TW'm'hQr
Oflfifiws ayid t*w/h^rp
43.2
54.0
56 8
46.0
Scholars
Weekday religious schools :
Churches reporting number
Officers and teachers
Scholars -
24.3
75.7
Parochial schools :
Churches reporting number
Officers and teachers
Scholars
i Percent not shown where base is less than 100.
Comparative data> 1906-36. — Table 2 presents, in convenient form for com-
parison, a summary of the available statistics of the General Baptists for the
census years 1936, 1926, 1916, and 1906.
TABLE 2. — COMPARATIVE SUMMARY, 1906 TO 1936
ITEM
1936
1936
1916
1906
Churches (local organ1 zat-ions) , niTrnber ^ ,
422
465
517
518
Increase 1 over preceding census:
Number -
-43
-52
__i
Percent -
-9.2
-10.1
—0.2
Members, number _ __ _ _« _ .
36, 573
31, 501
33, 466
30, 097
Increase 1 over preceding census
Number _ - -- _.
5,072
-1, 965
3,369
Percent _. -_ -
16.1
-5.9
11.2
AvfirRgft membership par rfrnrnh
87
68
65
58
Church edifices, number
316
354
390
380
Valti£ — number reportinp'
297
353
390
380
Amount reported -
$555, 309
$706, 325
$421, 837
$252, 019
Average value per church . _
$1, 870
$2, 001
$1, 082
$663
Debt — number reporting
29
18
32
28
Amount reported
$26, 365
$22, 823
$17, 362
$6, 999
Parsonages, number
17
10
6
6
Value — number reporting- , .
16
10
6
6
Amount reported -- -.
$31, 000
$35, 000
$11, 100
$8, 900
Expenditures :
Churches reporting, number
406
440
424
Amount reported
$103, 799
$113, 825
$64, 698
Pastors' salaries _ . _ ._
$49, 148
All other salaries _
$9, 456
Rfipfvir? $.r\(\ imprnwmpTit.s
$16, 302
$95 792
$56, 683
Payment on church debt, excluding interest
All other current expenses, including interest. ..
Local relief and charity, Bed Cross, etc
$4,571
$10, 304
$1. 303
1
Home missions .. -
$1, 935
'FoTftigT) "mfgfdoms , -„„.,, -„„„ + ,,
$903
> $17, 181
$8, 015
To general headquarters for distribution
$3, 059
All other purposes. ,_
$6, 818
j
Not classified ........
$852
Average expenditure per church _ __
$256
$259
$153
Sunday schools:
Chtirohes reporting, TnjTn"h£i-
301
295
305
230
Officers and teachers
2, 651
2, 064
2,140
1,520
Scholars.
17, 562
18, 797
18, 545
11, 658
J A minus sign (— ) denotes decrease.
GENERAL BAPTISTS
183
State tables. — Tables 3, 4, 5, and 6 present the statistics for the General Bap-
tists by States. Table 3 gives for each State for 1936 the number and member-
ship of the churches classified according to their location in urban or rural terri-
tory, membership classified by sex, and data for Sunday schools. Table 4 gives the
number and membership of the churches for the four census years 1906 to 1936,
together with the membership for 1936 classified as "under 13 years of age" and
"13 years of age and over." Table 5 shows the value of churches and parsonages
and the amount of debt on church edifices for 1936. Table 6 presents, for 1936,
the church expenditures, showing separately current expenses, improvements,
benevolences, etc. In order to avoid disclosing the financial statistics of any
individual church, separate presentation in table 5 is limited to those States in
which three or more churches reported value.
Ecclesiastical divisions. — Table 7 presents, for each association of the General
Baptist churches, the more important statistical data for 1936 shown by States
in the preceding tables, including number of churches, membership, value and
debt on church edifices, expenditures, and Sunday schools.
TABLE 3. — NUMBER AND MEMBERSHIP OP CHURCHES IN URBAN AND RURAL
TERRITORY, MEMBERSHIP BY SEX, AND SUNDAY SCHOOLS, BY STATES, 1936
GEOGEAPHIC DIVISION
AND STATE
NUMBEE OF
CHUECHES
NUMBEE OF MEM-
BEES
MEMBEESHIP BY SEX
SUNDAY SCHOOLS
O
fl
£
"3
f-i
i
a
CS
1
1
42
Female
*,
•gs
*!
Males per 100
females l
Churches re-
porting
O
Scholars
United States.
422
64
1
139
5
42
380
36, 573
4,713
31, 860
4,188
3,103
11, 387
17, 265
7,921
66.0
301
55
45
1
94
4
61
12
20
9
2,651
17, 582
EAST NOETH CENTEAL:
Indiana _
13
9
1
6
51
49
133
5
86
18
30
6,648
3,816
166
12, 608
88
9,665
1,479
1,528
2,460
713
166
315
859
41
2,459
1,416
72
2,294
43
3,771
505
629
198
3,975
2,163
94
3,557
45
5,448
761
897
325
214
237
61.9
65.5
687
430
10
777
25
428
81
154
59
5,024
2,445
119
4,670
119
2,989
689
1,014
493
Illinois
Michigan
WEST NOKTH CENTEAL:
Missouri
12, 293
88
8,806
1,438
1,528
416
6,757
64 5
Nebraska
EAST SOUTH CENTEAL:
Kentucky
7
1
446
213
2
52
69 2
66 4
70.1
60.9
Tennessee
WEST SOUTH CENTEAL-
Arkansas
Oklahoma „
13
5
8
575
159
i Ratio not shown where number of females is less than 100.
TABLE 4.- — NUMBER AND MEMBERSHIP OP CHURCHES, 1906 TO 1936, AND MEM-
BERSHIP BT AGE IN 1936, BY STATES
GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION
AND STATE
NUMBEE OF
CHUECHES
NUMBEE OF MEMBEES
MEMBEESHIP BY AGE, 1936
1936
1926
1916
1906
1936
1936
1916
1906
Under
13
years
13
years
and
over
Age
not re-
port-
ed
Per
cent
un-
der
13i
United States
Indiana
422
465
517
518
73
48
36, 573
6,648
3,816
166
31, 501
6,978
4,126
83,466
30, 097
5,652
24, 786
5,602
3,276
166
5*, 451
57
7,364
912
1,467
491
6,135
662
521
18.6
64
58
1
73
60
77
62
7,497
4,410
6,671
3,621
384
19
6 4
.6
Illinois
Missouri
139
5
93
19
30
13
138
7
108
27
35
16
1
168
9
108
32
36
25
186
6
98
27
54
26
12,608
88
9,665
1,479
1,528
575
6,936
102
9,151
1,750
1,898
494
66
8,857
244
8,663
1,789
1,227
779
9,048
103
6,881
1,108
2, 035
630
5,132
8
79
7
21
2
2,025
23
2,222
560
40
82
48.5
1.1
.8
1.4
.4
Nebraska
Kentucky
Tennessee
Arkansas
Oklahoma
California
i Based on membership with age classification reported: not shown where base is less than 100.
184
CENSUS' OF RELIGIOUS BODIES, 1936
TABLE 5. — VALUE OF CHURCHES AND PARSONAGES AND AMOUNT OF CHUECH
DEBT BY STATES, 1936
[Separate presentation is limited to States having 3 or more churches reporting value of edifices]
STATE
Total
number
of
churches
Num-
ber of
church
edifices
VALUE OF CHUECH
EDIFICES
DEBT ON CHURCH
EDIFICES
VALUE OF PAR-
SONAGES
Churches
reporting
Amount
Churches
reporting
Amount
Churches
reporting
Amount
United States
422
316
297
«-
50
77
74
18
18
24
$555,309
243,650
59, 016
80,750
135,386
16, 607
11,200
8,700
29
T
4
7
5
3
2
1
826,865
7,594
1,984
4,644
8,230
1,013
1,000
1,900
16
$31,000
Indiana
64
58
139
93
19
30
19
61
52
84
79
18
18
4
12
26, 200
Illinois
Missouri
2
1
1
8
C1)
Kentucky
Tennessee
Arkansas
Other States
4,800
1 Amount included in figures for "Other States," ,to avoid disclosing the statistics of any individual
church,
a Includes: Michigan, 1; Nebraska, 1; and Oklahoma, 2.
TABLE 6. — CHDRCH EXPENDITURES BY STATES, 1936
Total
number
of
churches
EXPENDITURES
Churches
reporting
Total
amount
Pastors'
salaries
All other
salaries
Repairs and
improve-
ments
United States.
Indiana
Illinois
Michigan..
Missouri. -
Nebraska..
Kentucky. .
Tennessee..
Arkansas...
Oklahoma..
406
$103,799
L9, 148
$9,458
64
58
1
139
5
93
19
30
13
64
57
1
131
5
91
18
30
46,611
1 15, 776
16,227
569
17, 953
3,769
265
21,399
7,332
7,988
406
8,727
1,590
1,573
133
4,746
1,470
75
1,569
472
280
5
4,503
680
166
6
STATE
EXPENDITURES— continued
Payment
on church
debt, ex-
cluding
interest
Other
current
expenses,
including
interest
Local
relief and
charity
Home
missions
Foreign
missions
To gen-
eral head-
quarters
All other
purposes
United States..
Indiana. ~
Ulinois
Michigan.
Missouri- ,
Nebraska-
Kentucky....
Tennessee...
Oklahoma..
$4, 571
$10, 804
2,676
448
764
E30
332
21
6,367
1,837
1,034
52
76J5
113
136
S3, 059
$8, 818
630
74
49
124
117
80
185
85
176
679
543
4
513
78
113
2,450
1,427
1,396
32
1,138
291
57
27
i Amount for Michigan combined with figures for Illinois, to avoid disclosing the statistics of any indi-
vidual church.
GENERAL BAPTIST'S
185
TABLE 7. — NUMBER AND MEMBERSHIP OF CHURCHES, VALUE AND DEBT ON
CHURCH EDIFICES, EXPENDITURES, AND SUNDAY SCHOOLS BY ASSOCIATIONS,
1936
ASSOCIATION
Total number of
churches
Number of members
VALUE OF
CHTJECH EDI-
FICES
DEBT ON
CHTJECH EDI-
FICES
EXPENDITT7BES
SUNDAY
SCHOOLS
Churches re-
porting
fl
<
Churches re-
porting
Amount
Churches re-
porting
Amount
Churches re-
porting
Scholars
Total
422
36, 573
297
8555,809
2,850
1,600
35, 600
7,550
4,200
10,600
4,000
154, 800
1,500
21,100
10, 600
26,400
14, 100
19,600
29
$26, 365
406
$103,799
301
17, 582
378
195
215
1,001
380
225
350
110
2,302
174
700
852
1,164
626
681
84
1,496
154
35
549
75
30
465
330
1,235
1,269
1,579
143
423
207
135
Cherokee Home (Okla.)
9
6
5
21
10
8
7
4
25
5
21
34
18
16
18
4
29
8
1
14
3
10
13
15
37
27
23
5
18
6
2
467
326
180
1,627
529
527
5,446
322
3,207
243
2,319
1,690
1,322
858
1,608
64
2,077
496
24
1,028
81
545
1,073
713
4,230
1,841
2,200
161
674
317
378
2
3
3
17
8
6
4
3
22
3
17
17
18
13
18
7
5
5
21
10
7
7
4
25
5
21
33
18
16
17
4
29
7
1
14
1
6
13
15
36
27
22
5
17
6
2
236
672
385
6,611
1,503
391
1,945
415
29, 169
387
2,761
2,569
6,386
3,464
2,578
322
5,002
186
(i)
3,111
0)
314
2,566
1,098
11, 301
6,936
11, 421
284
740
315
0)
731
6
3
4
17
6
6
6
3
22
4
13
22
17
10
12
3
26
4
1
9
2
1
9
8
25
26
14
4
12
4
2
Eastern Union (Mo.)
Fair Dealing (Mo.)
Flat Creek (Ind.)
1
2,300
Freedom (Ind., Ky.)
Free Union (Ky.)
Galilee (Mo.)
1
3,500
Green River Union (Ky.)
Liberty (111., Ind.)
4
1
1
3,814
250
100
Little Vine (Ark., Mo.)
Long Creek (Ky.)
Missouri (Ark., Mo.)
Moark (Ark., Mich., Mo.)-..
Mount Olivet (HI.)
7
1
2
3,394
200
2,030
Mount Union (Ky., Tenn.)~.
New Hope (Nebr.)
New Liberty (Ky., Mo.,
Tenn.)
27
4
1
13
29,907
2,700
(0
18, 100
4
1,413
North Liberty (Mo.)
Northwest Nebraska (Nebr.).
Ohio (III.)
2
1,585
Oklahoma (Okla.)
Old Liberty (HI., Mo.)
Portland (Ky., Tenn.)
6
7
7
32
25
13
2
2
2
2
3,000
8,700
3,000
87, 586
28,016
48,300
8
0)
0)
11,500
Post Oak Grove (Ark.)
Union (Ky.)
2
1
2
6,100
199
1,480
Union Grove (Ind., HI.)
United (Ind., Ky., Mo.)
West Liberty (Mo.)
White River (Mo., Okla.)
Wolf Bayou (Ark.)
Unassociated (Ky., Mo.)
Combinations
1 Amount included in figures on the line designated "Combinations," to avoid disclosing the statistics
of any individual church.
HISTORY, DOCTRINE, AND ORGANIZATION 1
DENOMINATIONAL HISTORY
The General, or Arminian, Baptists trace their origin as a distinct denomina-
tion to the early part of the seventeenth century. Their first church is believed
to have been founded in Holland in 1607 or 1610 and their first church in England
in 1611. During the latter half of the seventeenth and the first half of the
eighteenth centuries many of the Baptist churches in New England held Arminian
views, and early in the eighteenth century there were also a number of General
Baptists in Virginia. These sent a request for ministerial aid to the General
Baptists of London, in answer to which Robert Nordin was sent to Virginia In
1714. Nordin is supposed after his arrival to have organized at Burleigh the
first Baptist church in Virginia, although it is possible that he found it already
i This statement, which is substantially the same as that published in vol. n of the Report on Religious
Bodies, 1926, has been revised by J. P. Cox, editor and publisher of The General Baptist Messenger,
Owensville, Ind., and approved by him in its present form.
186
established. Later other Baptist churches were organized, and the movement
spread into North Carolina, where a flourishing yearly meeting was formed, and
to other colonies of the South.
As the Calvinistic Baptists, who had better educated and more aggressive
leaders, increased in numbers and strength, the majority of the Arminian Baptist
churches, both in New England and the South, became affiliated with them,
although the General Six Principle Baptists of New England and a small body of
churches in the Carolinas continued to hold the doctrines of the General Baptists,
Later the Free Baptists of New England, who held essentially the same principles,
attracted many who would otherwise have formed General Baptist churches.
The small group of General Baptist churches in the Carolinas, being reinforced
by Free Baptists from the North, in time became known as Free Will Baptists,
and included most of those holding Arminian views in that section of the country.
The historical origin of those Baptist bodies in the United States that bear
the appellation "General Baptists" at the present time is somewhat uncertain,
but it seems probable that they represent colonies sent to the Cumberland region
by the early General Baptist churches of North Carolina. The first very definite
information concerning them is that in 1823 a General Baptist church was organ-
ized in Vanderburg County, Ind., by Benoni Stinson and others. The following
year Liberty Association was organized with four churches. The movement
gradually extended to Kentucky, Illinois, Tennessee, Missouri, Arkansas, and
Nebraska. More recently churches have been established in Oklahoma, Cali-
fornia, and Michigan.
Two distinct influences appeared early in these churches, one for greater
denominational emphasis, the other for union with other Baptist bodies, such as
the Free Will and the Separate Baptists. Various efforts for such union were
put forth, but without conspicuous success. One association united with the
Free Will Baptists in 1868, but withdrew in 1877. In 1881 two associations had
a conference with an association of Missionary Baptists, as they were called,
to distinguish them from Antimissionary or Primitive Baptists, but it failed to
produce results. More recently a union with a Separate Baptist association
caused some disturbance, but this also was not permanent. Notwithstanding
the hindrances attending these discussions, the denomination has made progress,
establishing churches and organizing missionary societies and Sunday schools.
In 1915 the General Association of General Baptists formed a cooperative union
with the Northern Baptist Convention.
DOCTRINE
The confession of faith of the General Baptists consists of 11 articles which,
with but two slight changes, are identical with those formulated by Benoni
Stinson in 1823. The distinctive feature of this confession is the doctrine of a
general atonement (whence the name, "General Baptist"), which is that Christ
died for all men, not merely for the elect, and that any failure of salvation rests
purely with the individual. Other clauses state that man is "fallen and de-
praved," and cannot extricate himself from this state by any ability possessed
by nature; that except in the case of infants and idiots, regeneration is necessary
for salvation, and is secured only through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ;
that while the Christian who endures to the end shall be saved, it is possible for
him to fall from grace and be lost; that rewards and punishments are eternal;
that the bodies of the just and unjust will be raised, the former to the resurrection
of life, the latter to the resurrection of damnation; that the only proper mode of
baptism is immersion, and the only proper subjects are believers; and that the
communion, or Lord's Supper, should be free to all believers. Some of the
churches practice foot washing.
ORGANIZATION
In polity the General Baptists are in accord with other Baptist bodies. The
local churches are independent, but are united in local, State, and general asso-
ciations, of advisory character, with no authority over the individual church.
No association can legally form an organic union with any other denomination
without the ratification of each individual church, and any local church wishing
to withdraw from any association may do so, while any local association may
withdraw from a State or General Association.
GENERAL BAPTISTS 187
When a church desires the ordination of one of its members, it makes recom-
mendation to a body composed of the ordained ministers and deacons of the
various local churches, corresponding closely to the councils of Congregational
churches, though sometimes called a presbytery. This body conducts an ex-
amination of the candidate and, if he is found worthy, ordains him, acting as
the representative of the church. It has, however, no authority except such
as is given to it by the local church. The vote of the local church on the recep-
tion of members must be unanimous.
In 1870 a General Association was organized to bring "into more intimate and
fraternal relation and effective cooperation various bodies of liberal Baptists."
With this most of the local associations are connected through delegates. While
this General Association is a General Baptist institution, its constitution permits
the reception of other Baptist associations whose doctrines and usages harmonize
with those of the General Baptists. The constitution states that the name can
never be changed, and that no less than three-fourths of its trustees shall be
members of General Baptist churches. It has general supervision over the
college and educational interests of the denomination, the home and foreign
mission work, publication interests, literature, etc. A denominational budget
of $6,000 is called for each year, which is divided among the denominational
enterprises.
A home mission board is maintained under the direction of the general asso-
ciation, its object being to support home mjssionaries, establish churches in new
fields, assist in building houses of worship, etc. There are 37 local associations,
and a total membership of 38,000. The various local associations also have
boards which do similar work within their own territory, and which cooperate
with the general board. The home mission board of the Liberty Association of
Indiana has a permanent fund of several thousand dollars, and has been the
means of advancing the interests of the association and of the denomination as
much perhaps as any other one agency. Largely through its efforts the present
publishing house of the denomination was established.
For many years the General Baptists cooperated with the Free Baptists in
foreign mission work, but, since this was found to be not entirely satisfactory,
a foreign missionary society was organized in 1904, under direction and control
of the General Association.
Through the foreign mission board work is now being carried on in the island
of Guam, where in 1936 there were several stations, occupied by a native mission-
ary and several native helpers. There are about 75 members. The value of
property belonging to the denomination in foreign fields is estimated at $10,000,
and there is an endowment of $3,500.
The General Baptists have one educational institution, Oakland City College,
in Indiana, which includes a theological department. It has a faculty of 15
teachers and an average attendance of about 250 students, property valued at
$100,000, and an endowment of about $250,000. The amount contributed for
the support of the school during the year was about $20,000.
The General Baptist Messenger, the church organ, was established in 1886,
and has assisted largely in building up and strengthening the denomination and
its institutions. It is now published at Poplar Bluff, Mo.
Sunday schools, women's missionary and aid societies, and Christian Endeavor
societies are maintained in many of the churches.
SEPARATE BAPTISTS
STATISTICS
Summary for the United States, with urban-rural classification. — A general
summary of the statistics for the Separate Baptists for the year 1936 is presented
in table *1, which shows also the distribution of these figures between urban and
rural territory.
The membership of this denomination includes persons who have been admitted
to the local churches, by vote of the members, upon their acceptance of the
articles of belief and baptism by immersion.
TABLE 1. — SUMMARY OF STATISTICS FOR CHURCHES IN URBAN AND RURAL
TERRITORY, 1936
ITEM
Total
In urban
territory
In rural
territory
PERCENT OF
TOTAL !
Urban
Rural
filmrchfiR (local orsft'n1 Cations), number
69
5, 287
77
1,845
2,718
724
67.9
25
3,660
1,602
0.7
57
52
$66, 670
$60, 920
$5, 750
$1, 282
1
$400
34
59
$10, 553
$4,371
$354
$3, 820
$695
$350
$319
$40
$146
$458
$179
55
487
2,932
4
15
140
4
252
63
107
145
65
5, 035
77
1,738
2,573
724
67.5
16
3,417
1,602
Members, number
4.8
95.2
Average membership per church-
Membership by sex-
Male
5.8
5.3
94.2
94.7
100.0
Female .._
Sex not reported - _
"M"f|,1p,s par 3 QO foymftlfts
73.8
9
243
Membership by age:
Under 13 years
13 years and over
6.6
93.4
100.0
Age not reported
Percent under 13 years 2
3 6
3
2
$4,500
$2,000
$2,500
$2, 250
0.5
54
50
$62, 170
$58, 920
$3,250
$1,243
1
$400
33
55
$9,979
$4, 059
$342
$3, 720
$613
$350
$309
$40
$146
$400
$181
52
449
2,773
4
15
140
Church edifices, number . ._.
Value — number reporting
Amount reportlS
6.7
3 3
43 5
93.3
96.7
56.5
Constructed prior to 1936 ._
Constructed, wholly or in part, in 1936.
Average value per church.- -
Debt — number reporting
Amount reported
100.0
Number reporting "no debt"
1
4
$574
$312
$12
$ioo
$82
Expenditures :
Ohurches reporting., nnmhAr
AtnmiTit reported
5.4
7.1
3 4
2.6
11.8
94.6
92.9
96.6
97.4
88.2
100.0
96.9
Pastors" salaries
All other salaries _ . ._. ____
Repairs and improvements
All other current expenses, including In-
tejest
Local relief and charity, Red Cross, etc
Home missions
$10
3.1
Foreign missions _. .- - -
To general headquarters for distribution
100.0
87.3
All other purposes
$58
$144
3
38
159
12.7
Average expenditure per church ._
Sunday schools :
Churches reporting, number _ .
Officers and teachers. „
7,8
5.4
92.2
94.6
Scholars
Summer vacation Bible schools :
Churches reporting, number
Officers and teachers _
Scholars
100.0
1 Percent not shown where base Is less than 100.
Based on membership with age classification reported.
188
SEPARATE BAPTISTS'
189
Comparative data, 1906-36. — Table 2 presents, in convenient form for com-
parison, a summary of the available statistics of the Separate Baptists for the
census years 1936, 1926, 1916, and 1906.
TABLE 2. — COMPARATIVE STTMMAKY, 1906 TO 1936
ITEM
1936
1936
1916
1906
Churches (local organizations), number _
69
65
46
73
Increase l over preceding census:
Number
1
19
—27
Percent2
Members, number „
5,287
4,803
4,254
5,180
Increase * over preceding census:
Number
184
549
—926
Percent .
10. 1
12 9
—17 9
Average membership per church.
77
74
92
71
CbiiroTK fidificfts, member
57
46
41
60
Value — number reporting ..
52
43
40
59
Amount reported , _._ _ _ -_ .._J__
$66, 670
$63, 650
$47, 565
$66, 980
Average value per church.. . ... _
$1, 2S2
$1, 480
$1. 189
$1, 135
Debt — number reporting __ . . . _
3
2
4
Amount reported-
$400
$110
$380
Parsonages, number
Value — number reporting . _
1
Amount reported .
$1, 000
Expenditures :
Churches reporting, number
59
41
33
ATYionnt reported
$10, 553
$9,292
$9 468
Pastors' salaries
$4, 371
All other salaries
$354
$7 799
$8 005
Repairs and improvements
All other current expenses, including interest..
Local relief and charity. Red Cross, etc .
$3,820
$695
$350
TTornft rnissions r, „ ^,_ . ._„_ _,„,.,.,
$319
Foreign missions. _ .
$40
I $1, 368
$i, 463
To general headquarters for distribution..
$146
All other purposes- - .
$-158
Not classified _ .» . __
$125
Average expenditure p^r church ..
$179
$227
$287
Sunday schools :
Churches reDortin?, number
55
37
30
45
Officers and teachers
487
259
237
312
Scholars
2.932
1,782
1,711
1,962
t A minus sign (— ) denotes decrease.
2 Percent not shown where base is less than 100.
State tables. — Tables 3, 4, 5, and 6 present the statistics for the Separate
Baptists by States. Table 3 gives for each State for 1936 the number and mem-
bership of the churches classified according to their location in urban or rural
territory, membership classified by sex, and data for Sunday schools. Table 4
gives the number and membership of the churches for the four census years 1906
to 19?6, together with the membership for 1936 classified as "under 13 years of
age" and "13 years of age and over." Table 5 shows the value of church edifices
and the amount of debt on such property for 1936. Table 6 presents, for 1936,
the church expenditures, showing separately current expenses, improvements,
benevolences, etc.
Ecclesiastical divisions. — Table 7 presents, for each association of the Separate
Baptists, the more important statistical data for 1936 shown by States in the
preceding tables, including number of churches, membership, value and debt on
church edifices, expenditures, and Sunday schools.
190
CEOST'SIIS' OF RELIGIOUS BODIES, 1936
TABLE 3. — NUMBER AND MEMBERSHIP OF CHURCHES IN URBAN AND RURAL
TERRITORY, MEMBERSHIP BY SEX, AND SUNDAY SCHOOLS, BY STATES, 1936
NUMBER OF
CHURCHES
NUMBER OF
MEMBERS
MEMBERSHIP BY SEX
SUNDAY SCHOOLS
GEOGEAPHIC DIVISION
2
§
£
a
AND STATE
T3
53 03
03 Wl
03 t-t
o
o£
^.9
»2
3
1
-a
*
1
a
cS
.Q
1
"3
ag
ll
n8-
"3
&
P
«
EH
i'
rt
^
fe
CO
^
0
O
0
CQ
United States
69
4
65
5,287
252
5,035
1,845
2,718
724
67.9
55
487
2,932
EAST NOETH CENTRAL:
Indiana
14
1
13
981
63
918
419
502
60
83 5
13
107
583
Illinois
6
2
4
460
157
303
187
273
68.5
4
44
145
EAST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Kentucky
39
1
38
3, 198
32
3,166
985
1,f>4£>
664
63.6
31
283
1,636
Tennessee
8
8
398
398
134
264
50.8
6
44
388
Alabama
2
2
250
250
120
130
92 3
1
9
180
TABLE 4. — NUMBEK AND MEMBERSHIP OF CHURCHES, 1906 TO 1936, AND MEM-
BERSHIP BY AGE IN 1936, BY STATES
NUM
BEE OJ
? CHUR
CHES
NUM
BER 0]
f MEM
BEES
MEM!
ERSHU
? BY AG
E, 1936
STATE
1936
1926
1916
1906
1936
1926
1916
1906
Un-
der
13
years
13
years
and
over
Age
not
re-
ported
Per-
cent
under
131
United States
69
65
46
73
5,287
4,803
4,254
5,180
25
3,660
1,602
o.r
Indiana
14
18
17
24
981
1,640
1,698
2,201
17
753
211
2 2
Illinois
6
9
5
15
460
541
477
1,076
460
Kentucky
39
28
19
28
3,198
2,078
1,859
1.765
8
1,999
1,191
.4
Tennessee
8
10
5
6
398
544
220
138
398
Alabama
2
250
50
200
* Based on membership with age classification reported.
TABLE 5. — VALUE OF CHURCHES AND AMOUNT OF CHURCH DEBT BY STATES, 1936
STATE
Total
number of
churches
Number of
church
edifices
VALUE OF CHUBCH
EDIFICES
DEBT ON CHUKCH
EDIFICES
Churches
reporting
Amount
Churches
reporting
Amount
United States
69
57
52
866, 670
1
$400
Indiana ^^ , - -__ „ J.J^,
14
6
39
8
2
14
6
31
4
2
11
6
29
4
2
19, 600
14, 200
28,790
} 14,080
Illinois
Kentucky „
Tennessee
1
400
Alabama
1 Amount for Alabama combined with figures for Tennessee, to avoid disclosing the statistics of any
individual church.
SEPARATE BAPTISTS!
TABLE 6. — CHUECH EXPENDITURES BY STATES, 1936
191
I
EXPENDITURES
s
£
a
68
1
«j
r£
S
STATE
o
J-l
,0
1
^
S
•S
*!
il
*JS?
I
1
A m
&
M£?
o
w
00
i
§^.*»
-g'g
&
a
*13
a
§
s
-a
1
0
n
g||
d
a
1°*
i
o
0
,£3
o
<§
!T5
o
5 p<*9
g
0
c$
o
5=3
0
EH
p^
^
«
o
^
w
fr
United States
69
59
S10, 553
$4, 371
$354
$3, 820
$695
8350
$319
$40
$146
$458
Indiana _
14
14
2,952
L?55
98
962
14S
150
106
35
27
170
Illinois
6
5
1,129
579
94
340
77
10
15
14
Kentucky -
39
8
2
31
7
2
4,415
2,349
188
162
894
1,624
453
. 16
95
95
96
102
5
116
3
245
29
Tennessee
Alabama _
1 Amount for Alabama combined with figures for Tennessee, to avoid disclosing the statistics of any indi-
vidual church.
TABLE 7.— NUMBER AND MEMBEESHIP OF CHTJECHES, VALUE AND DEBT ON
CHUECH EDIFICES, EXPENDITUEES, AND SUNDAY SCHOOLS, BY ASSOCIATIONS,
1936
ASSOCIATION
Total number of churches
Number of members
VALUE OF
CHUECH EDI-
FICES
DEBT ON
CHTJRCH EDI-
FICES
EXPENDI-
TURES
SUNDAY
SCHOOLS
Churches re-
porting
Amount
Churches re-
porting
Amount
Churches re-
porting
Amount
Churches re-
porting
Scholars
Total
69
6
10
8
2
12
4
27
5,287
52
$68, 670
1
$400
59
5
10
7
13
/ 4
{ 20
$10, 553
1,129
2,486
270
3,636
466
2,566
55
=:;:== . .
4
9
6
{ii
21
2,932
145
379
388
180
549
204
1,087
A rnbrftw
460
766
398
250
1,702
215
1,496
6
9
4
2
10
2
19
14,200
15, 300
1,480
JU7,200
JUS, 490
Central Indiana
Mount Olivet
Mount Pleasant
1
400
Nolynn
North Indiana.
South Kentucky
1 Amount for Mount Pleasant combined with figures for Nolynn, to a void disclosing the statistics of any
individual church.
2 Amount for North Indiana combined with figures for South Kentucky, to avoid disclosing the statistics
of any individual church.
HISTORY, DOCTRINE, AND ORGANIZATION l
DENOMINATIONAL HISTORY
The term "Separate/' as applied to church, bodies, had its origin in what is
known as the Separatist Movement in England toward the close of the six-
teenth century and early in the seventeenth century. It indicated primarily a
withdrawing from the Anglican Church, without implying any specific doctrinal
or ecclesiastical character. Among the churches which thus withdrew were
some distinctively Baptist churches, though the first definite date appears to be
that of 1662, when a church called the "English Puritan Separate Baptist Church"
is said to have been organized. This, in common with some of the other inde-
pendent churches, was compelled to emigrate to the colonies and came to America
in 1695.
1 This statement, which is substantially the same as that published in vol. II of the Eeport on Religious
Bodies, 1926, has been revised by Eev. J", 8. Banta, of the Separate Baptists, Grab, Ky., and approved by
him in its present form.
192 CENStTS OF RELIGIOUS BODIES, 1936
In the early part of the eighteenth century a somewhat similar condition ex-
isted in New England. The revival movement in which Whitefield took so
prominent a part, and which culminated in the Great Awakening, caused sharp
discussion. Those who endorsed the revival were called "New Lights,' and were
opposed bitterly on two specific points; one was the use of lay preachers, and tne
other the refusal to retain on church rolls those who were regarded by _ them as
unregenerate because they had not experienced conversion. Denominational
lines were not drawn, both the Congregational and Presbyterian churches, the
latter under the lead of the Tennents, sharing in the controversy, which resulted
in the withdrawal or "separation" of a number of churches. In all of these
"separate" churches there were Baptists, and of 31 ministers ordained as pas-
tors from 1746 to 1751, there were 5 Baptists before they were ordained and 8
became Baptists, among the latter being Isaac Backus, the famous Baptist theolo-
gian and historian. These Separate Baptist churches were distinguished from the
Regular Baptist churches by their milder Calvinism and their willingness to re-
ceive those who practiced infant baptism, even though they themselves preferred
the form of immersion. As a result the Regular Baptists refused to recognize
them and for some time there was more or less hostility between the two branches.
This, however, gradually disappeared, and in New England the two bodies
coalesced, though there was never any formal act of union.
Among the more prominent leaders of the Separate Baptists was Shubael
Stearns, a native of Boston, who was baptized and ordained m Tolland, Conn.
In 1754 he left New England and settled at Sandy Creek, now Randolph County,
N C., where he made his permanent residence. With him had come 8 families,
16 persons in all, and there the same year he organized the first Separate Bap-
tist church in the South. Before long it contained 606 members, and Darnel
Marshall, Samuel Harris, and others soon became influential coworkers with Mr.
Stearns. In 17 years the southern Separate Baptists had spread westward to
the Mississippi, southward to Georgia, and eastward to the sea, and had 125
ministers and 42 churches. Their first association, the Sandy Creek, was organ-
ized at Stearns Church in January 1758. As early as 1776 they were found in
Kentucky, and in 1785 organized the South Kentucky Association, which is still
in existence. In 1815 they crossed into Indiana Territory, established a church
on Indian Creek, and in 1830 organized the Sand Creek Association. The first
association in Illinois, the Shelby, was organized in 1845, and the Ambraw, one
of their strongest associations, was formed in 1869. At present they are found in
Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Alabama.
In 1787 the Regular and Separate Baptists in Virginia formed a union, adopt-
ing the name "United Baptist Churches of Christ in Virginia/' In course of time
similar unions were formed in most of the other States in which the southern
branch of the Separate Baptists had organizations. A few Separate Baptist
churches, however, refused to join in this movement, and have maintained dis-
tinct organizations until the present time. Owing largely to difficulty of com-
munication, some practically kindred associations, such as the Duck River
Association and others of similar character, have not identified themselves with
the distinctive Separate Baptist body. Individual members of these associations
have expressed their willingness to be classed with the Separate Baptists, but
no official action in that direction has been taken.
DOCTRINE AND ORGANIZATION
Separate Baptists reject all creeds and confessions of faith, but the various
associations publish, in the minutes of their yearly meetings, articles of belief.
These are not always worded exactly alike, but in the main are in substantial
agreement. The declaration of the General Association, which may be taken as
an illustration, emphasizes the Scriptures as the infallible Word of God, the only
safe rule of faith and practice; the existence of three divine personages in the
Godhead; and three ordinances — baptism, the Lord's Supper, and feet washing.
The immersion of believers is considered the only proper mode of baptism.
They hold that regeneration, justification, and sanctification take place through
faith in the life, death, resurrection, ascension, and intercession of Christ; that
both the just and unjust will have part in the resurrection, and that God has
appointed a day in which He will judge the world by Jesus Christ.
The strict Calvinistic doctrines of election, reprobation, and fatality have never
been accepted by the Separate Baptist churches, the special points of emphasis
in their preaching being the general atonement of Jesus Christ and the freedom of
SEPARATE BAPTISTS
salvation for all who will come to Him on the terms laid down in His Word. In
the statements of some associations the doctrines of "adoption by the Spirit of
God" and the "perseverance of the saints" are included. The Lord's Supper
is observed in the evening and is regarded, not as a church table, but the Lord's
table. Each one who partakes is expected to follow the scriptural rule, "Let a
man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread and drink of that cup."
In polity the Separate Baptists are thoroughly congregational, recognizing the
autonomy of the local church, the purely advisory character of the association,
and the rights of the individual Christian.
WORK
In the line of home missionary work each association, independent of any other,
conducts its own work, but the amount of money expended for this object is not
reported. No provision has as yet been made for foreign missionary work.
Although the denomination has no established institution of learning, educa-
tion is firmly believed in. Sunday schools are very generally maintained through-
out the different associations and are usually prosperous.
The denominational paper, The Messenger, is published at Kokomo, Ind.
REGULAR BAPTISTS
STATISTICS
Summary for the United States, with urban-rural classification, — A general
summary of the statistics for the Regular Baptists for the year 1936 is presented
in table 1, which shows also the distribution of these figures between urban and
rural territory.
The membership of this denomination includes those whose names are enrolled
as communicants on the local church registers, upon profession of faith and
baptism.
TABLE 1. — SUMMARY OF STATISTICS FOR CHURCHES IN URBAN AND RURAL
TERRITORY, 1936
ITEM
Total
In urban
territory
In rural
territory
PERCENT OF
TOTAL 1
Urban
Rural
Churches (local organizations) number
266
17,186
65
5,952
9,912
1,322
60 0
59
14, 691
2,436
0.4
189
173
$234, 595
$222, 220
$12, 375
$1,356
16
$3,318
121
6
3
$10, 100
186
$24, 023
$5, 709
$1, 263
$4,584
$6, 330
$3, 315
$768
$216
$935
$903
$129
54
402
3,358
4
28
322
16
1,629
102
522
829
278
63.0
45
1,140
444
3.8
12
11
$60, 500
$58, 500
$2, 000
$5, 500
2
$1,835
6
1
1
$6,000
15
$6,841
$2,507
$424
$455
$660
$1, 510
$286
$70
$558
$371
$456
8
83
870
1
19
97
250
15, 557
62
5,430
9,083
1,044
59 8
14
13, 551
1,992
0.1
177
162
$174, 095
$163,720
$10, 375
$1, 075
14
$1,483
115
5
2
$4, 100
171
$17, 182
$3, 202
$839
$4, 129
$5, 670
$1,805
$482
$146
$377
$532
$100
46
319
2,488
3
9
225
6.0
9.5
94 0
90.5
Members number
Average membership per church,-
Membership by sex:
Male
8.8
8.4
21 0
91.2
91 6
79 0
Female _ ._
Sex not reported
Males per 100 females __
Membership by age:
Under 13 years _
13 years and over
7.8
18.2
92 2
81.8
Age not reported . __ . .
Percent under 13 years 2
Church, edifices, number
6.3
6.4
25.8
26.3
16.2
93.7
93 6
74.2
73.7
83.8
Value — number reporting
Amount reported , _, _„ ...
Constructed prior to 1936
Constructed, wholly or in part, in 1936_
Average value per church _
Debt—number reporting
Amount reported __ ._. .
55.3
5.0
44 7
95 0
Number reporting "no debt"
Parsonages, number
Value — number reporting
Amount reported.., „
59.4
8 1
28 5
43.9
33.6
9 9
10.4
45 6
37.2
32.4
59.7
41.1
40.6
91.9
71.5
56 1
66 4
90 1
89.6
54.4
62.8
67.6
40.3
58.9
Expenditures :
Churches reporting, number
Amount reported _.
Pastors' salaries
All other salaries .
Repairs and improvements _ .
Payment on church debt, excluding inter-
est
All other current expenses, including in-
terest __. _. .
Local relief and charity, Red Cross, etc....
Home missions
To general headquarters for distribution..
All other purposes
Average expenditure per church
Sunday schools:
Churches reporting, number
Officers and teachers
20.6
25.9
79 4
74.1
Scholars
Summer vacation Bible schools :
Churches reporting, number.
Officers and teachers
Scholars
30 1
69.9
i Percent not shown where base is less than 100.
* Based on membership with age classification reported.
194
TiEOlTLAU BAPTISTS
195
Comparative data, 1916-36. — Table 2 presents, in convenient form for compari-
son, a summary of the available statistics of the Regular Baptists for the census
years 1936, 1926, and 1916.
TABLE 2. — COMPAKATIVE SUMMARY, 1916 TO 1936
ITEM
1936
1926
1916
Churches (local organizations), number
266
349
401
Increase * over preceding census:
Number __
-83
-52
Percent
—23.8
— 13.0
Members, number
17, 186
23 091
21, 521
Increase * over preceding census:
Number _ _ _
-5,905
1,570
Percent . _ _ __ .
-25.6
7.3
Average membership per church-
65
66
54
Church edifices, number
189
235
192
Value — number reporting
173
233
189
Amount reported
$234, 595
$647, 550
$141, 480
Average value per church _ _, _
$1, 356
$2, 779
$749
Debt — number reporting _.. _.__
16
22
15
Amount reported _
$3, 318
$106, 619
$1, 462
Parsonages, number _ . __
6
Value — number reporting
3
8
o
Amount reported
$10, 100
$36, 325
$3, 100
Expenditures :
nhurfihfis rapnrtfng, nmribfir
186
223
143
Amount reported
$24, 023
$55, 610
$11,855
Pastors' salaries
$5. 709
All other salaries
$1, 263
Repairs and improvements.
$4, 584
I $46, 168
$10, 231
Payment on church debt, excluding interest
$6, 330
All other current expenses, including interest
$3, 315
Local relief and charity, Red Cross, etc
$768
Home missions
$216
To general headquarters for distribution
$935
> $8, 815
All other purposes
$903
Not classified
$627
Average expenditure per church..
$129
$249
$83
Sunday schools :
Churches reporting, number
54
65
50
Officers and teachers
402
450
264
Scholars _
3,358
4,690
2,587
* A minus sign (— ) denotes decrease.
State tables. — Tables 3, 4, 5, and 6 present the statistics for the Regular Bap-
tists by States. Table 3 gives for each State for 1936 the number and membership
of the churches classified according to their location in urban or rural territory,
membership classified by sex, and data for Sunday schools. Table 4 gives for
selected States the number and membership of the churches for the three census
years 1916 to 1936, together with the membership for 1936 classified as "under 13
years of age" and "13 years of age and over." Table 5 shows the value of churches
and parsonages and the amount of debt on church edifices for 1936. Table 6 pre-
sents, for 1936, the church expenditures, showing separately current expenses, im-
provements, benevolences, etc. In order to avoid disclosing the financial statis-
tics of any individual church, separate presentation in table 5 is limited to those
States in which three or more churches reported the value of edifices.
Ecclesiastical divisions. — Table 7 presents, for each association of the Regular
Baptists, the more important statistical data for 1936 shown by States in the pre-
ceding tables, including number of churches, membership, value and debt on
church edifices, expenditures, and Sunday schools.
275318 — 11 1-1
196
CENSUS OF RELIGIOUS BODIES, 1936
TABLE 8. — NUMBER AND MEMBERSHIP OF CHURCHES IN URBAN AND RURAL
TERRITORY, MEMBERSHIP BY SEX, AND SUNDAY SCHOOLS, BY STATES, 1936
NUMBER OF
CHURCHES
NUMBER OF
MEMBERS
MEMBERSHIP BY SEX
SUNDAY SCHOOLS
GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION
2
IL
£
1
AND STATE
-M'rf
O CD
J&0
S
®
O 9
^"cS
S
w 2
52
3
£
Is
s
a
o
*H
•3
S
"3
1
*t
'S.S
Jl
ll
1
EH
P
&H
P
«
Isi
fe
M
^
0
O
03
United States
266
16
250
17, 186
1,629
15, 557
5,952
9,912
1,322
60.0
54
402
3,358
EAST NORTH CENTRAL:
Ohio
6
2
4
276
131
145
109
167
65 3
4
28
281
Indiana --.--
10
1
9
819
73
746
190
267
362
71 2
6
51
231
Illinois
1
1
44
44
17
27
1
IS
. 45
SOUTH ATLANTIC:
Virginia
38
2
36
1,723
79
1,644
612
1,050
61
58.3
6
27
248
West Virginia
39
46
2
1
37
45
2,431
3,620
559
82
1,872
3,538
883
1,188
1,462
2,049
86
383
60.4
58.0
5
20
55
137
600
1,048
North Carolina
EAST SOUTH CENTRAL
Kentucky
117
6
m
7,666
553
7,113
2,732
4,504
430
60.7
10
79
805
Tennessee
1
1
12
12
2
10
Alabama
5
1
4
514
140
374
193
321
60.1
2
12
100
PACIFIC-
Washington
3
3
81
81
26
55
1 Ratio not shown where number of females is less than 100.
TABLE 4. — NUMBEE AND MEMBERSHIP OP CHUBCHES, 1916 TO 1936, AND MEM-
BERSHIP BY AGE IN 1936, BY STATES
GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION AND STATE
NUMBER OF
CHURCHES
NUMBER OF
MEMBERS
MEMBERSHIP BY AGE, 1036
1936
1936
3916
1936
1926
1916
Un-
der
13
years
13
years
and
over
Age
not re-
ported
Per-
cent
under
13i
United States
266
349
401
17, 186
23, 091
21, 521
59
14, 691
141
218
43
2,436
0.4
.7
EAST NORTH CENTRAL
Ohio
6
10
1
6
17
1
1
19
1
4
276
819
44
1,456
1,163
81
14
1,214
75
115
68
3,094
1,763
3,714
8,609
2,582
129
93
44
7
1
134
601
Indiana. - - -
Illinois
1
2,3
WEST NORTH CENTRAL:
Missouri —
Kansas __-_
1
SOUTH ATLANTIC:
Virginia
38
39
46
117
1
5
56
36
57
146
17
11
64
42
59
160
43
3
2
1,723
2,431
3,620
7,666
12
514
3,387
2,191
4,262
8,745
1,120
556
1,596
2,202
3,274
6,751
12
373
127
181
338
915
West Virginia
48
8
2.1
.2
North Carolina
EAST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Kentucky _
Tennessee
Alabama
1
140
.3
Mississippi
PACIFIC:
Washington
3
2
1
1
81
130
81
Idaho
* Based on membership with age classification reported.
REGTJLAE BAPTISTS
197
TABLE 5* — VALUE OF CHURCHES AND PARSONAGES AND AMOUNT OP CHURCH
DEBT BY STATES, 1936
[Separate presentation is limited to States having 3 or more churches reporting value of edifices]
GEOGBAPHIC DIVISION
AND STATE
Total
number
of
churches
Num-
ber of
church
edifices
VALUE OF CHURCH
EDIFICES
DEBT ON CHUBCH
EDIFICES
VALUE OF PAR-
SONAGES
Churches
reporting
Amount
Churches
reporting
Amount
Churches
reporting
Amount
United States ..
266
189
173
$234, 595
16
S3, 318
3
S10, 100
EAST NOETH CENTRAL:
Ohio
6
10
38
39
46
117
10
5
6
30
18
40
82
8
5
5
29
14
40
74
«6
5,925
7,900
44,000
41, 825
52, 410
78,085
4,450
1
1,275
Indiana
SOUTH ATLANTIC:
Virginia
2
1
3
9
147
250
160
1,486
1
1
0)
0)
West Virginia
North Carolina
EAST SOUTH CENTBAL:
Kentucky
1
0)
10, 100
Other States
* Amount included in figures for "Other States/' to avoid disclosing the statistics of any individual
church.
2 Includes: Illinois, 1; Tennessee, 1; Alabama, 2; and Washington, 2
TABLE 0. — CHURCH EXPENDITURES BY STATES, 1936
I
'S
E
SPENDI1
'TJRES
GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION
AND STATE
Total number of chu
Churches reporting
Total amount
Pastors' salaries
All other salaries
Repairs and im-
provements
Payment on church
debt, excluding
interest
$a
*» s
£j §
gg~!
Ill
o
3£
*1
1
S
Home missions
T=l
g
J3 w
*§!
<D «
§ O*
S
All other purposes
United States
266
188
824, 023
$5, 709
$1, 263
84, 584
$6,330
83,315
$768
S216
£935
S903
EAST NOETH CENTBAL-
Ohio
6
3
667
180
52
25
240
130
40
Indiana
10
9
Aft
Ofift
5
in
Illinois
1
1
—
SOUTH ATLANTIC:
Virginia
38
26
2.567
830
26
1,054
125
171
103
25
122
Ill
West Virginia
39
23
4 811
2 138
348
206
1,229
20
41
433
396
North Carolina
46
30
2 712
603
444
663
582
160
15
19
226
EAST SOUTH CENTEAL:
Kentucky. -
117
8fi
10, 973
319
343
2,278
5,965
1,190
408
105
202
Iflf?
Tennessee
1
1
}2 Q9(%
513
10
98
32
20
148
4
Alabama
5
4
PACIFIC.
3
3
22
13
6
3
1 Amount for Illinois combined with figures for Indiana, to avoid disclosing the statistics of any individual
church.
2 Amount for Tennessee combined with figures for Alabama, to avoid disclosing the statistics of any in-
dividual church.
198
CENSUS OF RELIGIOUS BODIES, 1936
TABLE 7. — NUMBER AND MEMBERSHIP OF CHURCHES, VALUE AND DEBT ON
CHUBCH EDIFICES, EXPENDITURES, AND SUNDAY SCHOOLS, BY ASSOCIATIONS,
1936
ASSOCIATION
Total number of
churches
S
JS
1
c?
1
fc
VALUE OF
CHTJKCH
EDIFICES
DEBT ON
CHURCH
EDIFICES
EXPENDI-
TURES
SUNDAY
SCHOOLS
Churches
reporting
Amount
Churches
reporting
Amount
Churches
reporting
Amount
Churches
reporting
Scholars
Total
286
ir, 186
173
$234, 595
16
$3, 318
186
$24, 023
54
3,358
Alabama:
Mount Pleasant
5
1
6
4
20
1
16
13
26
10
25
6
3
15
4
13
8
2
1
6
1
5
7
2
5
17
1
1
3
17
7
4
5
5
1
514
44
639
180
1,700
129
814
1,009
1,671
407
1,371
565
284
1,387
170
978
581
180
40
276
12
191
269
242
340
620
43
18
81
804
563
173
118
269
504
2
1
3
2
18
(l)
0)
7,000
0)
18, 350
4
1
6
3
14
605
(J)
915
253
1,146
2
1
4
2
7
100
45
161
70
610
Illinois:
Mount Tabor
Indiana:
Mount Tabor - -
Mount Pleasant-Kichland .
Kentucky
E nterprise
1
150
Green River
Indian Bottom
11
4
15
5
15
6
2
12
4
12
8
2
15, 600
1,800
11, 700
7,700
19, 400
3,535
0)
9,800
10, 010
22, 700
6,800
(0
1
560
12
8
19
7
20
6
2
9
2
8
6
2
1
3
1
4
5
1
2
13
1,334
227
891
898
5,890
587
0)
649
0)
398
312
(>)
0)
667
0)
75
1,353
0)
(')
1,001
^Mountain
New Salem
2
2
3
171
170
435
Sardis
Union
Unassociated
3
2
5
2
5
4
1
1
4
195
100
209
95
300
194
70
80
281
North Carolina-
Blue Eidge
Little River
1
1
1
10
50
100
Mitchell's River _- „
Mountain Union . „. _
"Regular Primitive ,
Union
TJnassociated _ _
Ohio:
Enterprise
5
1
5,925
0)
1
1,275
Tennessee:
Eastern _
Virginia:
Friendship
Ketocton
6
2
4
15
1
1
2
1
5
2
1
4
1
17, 600
0)
14,300
8,800
0)
(0
(0
P)
,3«,
0)
2,625
(0
45,650
4
1
1
135
20
93
Little River
Mountain Union
Union
2
147
New Salem
Indian Bottom
1
3
10
7
2
1
2
1
(0
22
101
999
0)
0
0)
0)
5,700
Washington:
IXTew S^lfim .
West Virginia:
Friendship
Indian Creek __ „
1
250
3
210
Kyova.—
Mount Zion
1
50
Sardis _ _
Broad Run_,_ _
1
340
Combinations
i Amount included in figures on the line designated "Combinations," to avoid disclosing the statis-
tics of any individual]church.
REGULAR BAPTISTS 199
HISTORY, DOCTRINE, AND ORGANIZATION1
DENOMINATIONAL HISTORY
Under this head are included a number of associations of Baptists who claim
to represent the original English Baptists before the distinction between Cal-
vinistic or Particular and Arminian or General became prominent. They are
thus distinguished from the Primitive Baptists, representing the extreme of
Calvinism, and the General, Free Will, and other Baptists, inclining more to the
Arminian doctrine; but are in general sympathy with the United Baptists and
Duck River and Kindred Associations of Baptists. Some use the term "Regular"
alone, and some the term "Regular Primitive," but so far as reported all are
included under the one head of "Regular." They are to be found chiefly in
North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, and the adjoining States.
The question has arisen as to the consolidation of these three groups, but as yet
no definite action has been taken.2
DOCTRINE AND ORGANIZATION
In doctrine the Regular Baptists are essentially at one with the United Baptists
and hold that God gives no command but what he holds all men responsible for
complying therewith, compliance always being by enabling grace; and by such
enabling grace man may comply with the conditions necessary to salvation; that
man as a result of sin is completely depraved, having neither will nor power to
extricate himself from his state of death in sin and his salvation is purely or
entirely by grace as a result of God's mercy and love; since Christ was offered an
infinite sacrifice for sin, on the basis of this sacrifice the gospel of God's grace is
to be preached to all men, the lost being lost because of their unbelief.
The different confessions of faith adopted by other Baptists, such as the London
Confession, the Philadelphia Confession, and the New Hampshire Confession are
not in use. Each association has its own confession and there will be found in
numerous cases some slight difference, particularly in the case of the Ketocton
and Indian Creek Associations, including churches in northern Virginia and West
Virginia, and Big Harpeth Church in Tennessee, where the doctrine is found to
be rather more Calvinistic, and more nearly in harmony with that of the Primitive
Baptist group. There is, however, such general correspondence as to permit the
classification of these associations together. They are strict in admission to the
Lord's Supper, practicing close communion, and for the most part observing the
ceremony of feet washing.
In polity the Regular Baptists are distinctly congregational. The churches
meet for fellowship in associations and frequently send messengers to other
associations, but there is no organic union between the different associations and
the lists of churches not infrequently vary from year to year.
1 This statement, which is substantially the same as tiuat published in vol. II of the Report on Religious
Bodies, 1926, has been revised by E. A. Williams, of the Regular Baptists, Whitestown, Ind., and approved
by him in its present form.
2 Use of the term "Regular" has varied at different times. In the report of churches for 1890 it was ap-
plied to the great body of Baptists included in the Northern, Southern, and National Conventions. That
use, however, has dropped out and at present the term seems to be limited to the churches described above.
But some organizations of Baptists in Tennessee and adjoining States, listed under the head of Duck River
and Kindred Associations of Baptists, are in fact the same kind of Baptists as the Regular Baptists and
might properly have been included as a part of this group.
UNITED
STATISTICS
Summary for the United States, with urban-rural classification, — A general
summary of the statistics for the United Baptists for the year 1936 is presented
in table 1, which shows also the distribution of these figures between urban and
rural territory.
The membership of this denomination consists of those persons who have been
received into the local churches upon profession of faith and baptism by im-
mersion.
TABLE 1. — STTMMABY or STATISTICS FOR CHURCHES IN URBAN AND RURAL
TERRITORY, 1936
ITEM
Total
In urban
territory
In rural
territory
PERCENT OF
TOTAL *
Urban
Rural
Clmrclies (local organizations) , number
277
27, 000
97
9,419
14, 868
2,713
63.4
203
23, 688
3,209
0.9
168
161
$179, 215
$171, 975
$7, 240
$1, 113
8
$4, 173
111
4
1
$500
188
$15,448
$4, 174
$588
$3, 737
$1, 657
$1, 589
$802
$603
$426
$194
$1, 678
$82
10
864
86
313
533
18
58.7
267
26, 136
98
9,106
14, 335
" 2, 695
63 5
203
22, 887
3,046
0.9
163
156
$167, 415
$160, 175
$7, 240
$1, 073
7
$1, 526
109
4
1
$500
181
$14, 443
$3, 826
$543
$3,554
$1, 542
$1, 380
$802
$588
$401
$194
$1, 613
$80
3.6
3.2
96.4
96.8
MerofofTF, niiTnh*?!*
Average membership per church
Membership by sex:
Male - -
3.3
3.6
.7
96.7
96.4
99.3
Female- - _
Sex not reported
Male1? per 100 females
Membership by age:
Under 13 years
100.0
97.0
94.9
13 years and over
701
163
3.0
5.1
Age not reported ._ - _
Percent under 13 years 3
Ohitrclt edifices, fniTttber
5
5
$11, 800
$11,800
3.0
3.1
6 6
6.9
97.0
96.9
93.4
93.1
100.0
Value — number reporting
Amount reported —
Constructed prior to 1936
Constructed, wholly or in part, in 1936_
Average value per church
$2, 360
1
$2, 647
2
Debt — number reporting
Amount reported
63.4
1.8
36.6
98 2
Number reporting "no debt". . _.
Parsonages, number _.
Value — number reporting _».__ __
Amount reported
100.0
96.3
93.5
91.7
92.3
95.1
93.1
86.8
100.0
97.5
94.1
100.0
96.1
Expenditures :
Churches reporting, number
7
$1,005
$348
$45
$183
$115
$209
3.7
8 5
8.3
7.7
4.9
6.9
13.2
Amount reported
Pastors* salaries ..
All other salaries , ._
Repairs and improvements
Payment on church debt, excluding in-
terest
All other current expenses, including in-
terest _ ~
Local relief and charity, Red Cross, etc
Home missions
$15
$25
2.5
5.9
Foreign missions
To general headquarters for distribution
All other purposes
$65
$144
3.9
Average exoen diture Der'church
' Percent not shown where base is less than 100.
2 Based on membership with age classification reported.
200
UNITED BAPTISTS'
201
TABLE 1.- — SUMMARY OF STATISTICS FOR CHURCHES IN URBAN AND RURAL
TBREITORY, 1936 — Continued
ITEM
Total
In urban
territory
In rural
territory
PEBCENT OF
TOTM, l
Urban
Rural
Sunday schools :
Churches reporting, number .
73
589
4,929
5
47
294
4
15
158
1
13
67
4
34
303
69
555
4,626
5
47
294
3
10
133
1
13
67
Officers and teachers -
5.8
6.1
94.2
93.9
Scholars
Summer vacation Bible schools :
Churches reporting, number
Officers and teachers _.
Scholars
100.0
Weekday religious schools:
Churches reporting, number .
1
5
25
Officers and teachers
Scholars . _
15.8
84.2
Parochial schools :
Churches reporting, number ______
Officers and teachers.. _ __,
Scholars..
* Percent not shown where base is less than 100.
Comparative data, 1906-36. — Table 2 presents, in convenient form for compari-
son, a summary of the available statistics of the United Baptists for the census
years 1936, 1926, 1916, and 1906.
TABLE 2. — COMPARATIVE SUMMARY, 1906 TO 1936
ITEM
1936
1926
1916
19O6
Churches (local organizations), number
277
221
254
190
Increase l over preceding census;
Number „ ._.
56
-33
64
Percent
25.3
—13.0
33.7
Members, number _ __ __
27, 000
18, 903
22, 097
13, 698
Increase { over preceding census.
Number _
8,097
-3, 194
8,399
Percent _ _
42 8
—14.5
61.3
Average insrnberstiip psr church
97
86
87
72
Church edifices, number
168
142
82
77
Vain A — nnrnber rftpArtirif
161
139
82
75
Amount reported
$179, 215
$144, 665
$52, 147
$36, 715
Average value per church _
$1, 113
$1, 041
$636
$490
Debt — number reporting
8
10
o
2
Amount reported
$4, 173
$1, 610
$20
$115
Parsonages, number
4
Value—number reporting
1
Amount reported
$500
Expenditures :
Churches reporting number
188
147
69
Amount reported
$15, 448
$15, 094
$4,837
Pastors' salaries
$4,174
All other salaries
$588
Repairs and improvements
$3,737
I $11, 103
$3,647
Payment on church debt, excluding interest
All other current expenses, including interest-—
Local relief and charity Red Cross, etc
$1, 657
$1, 589
$802
TTome rnissfoTis
$603
Foreign missions
$426
I $1, 862
$1, 190
To goneral headquarters for distribution
$194
All other purposes
$1, 678
Not classified
$2,129
\verase expenditure per church
$82
$103
$70
Sunday schools :
Churches reporting number - - —
73
39
16
21
Officers and teachers. «.
589
239
92
168
Scholars
4,929
2,005
701
1,360
* A minus sign (— ) denotes decrease.
202
CENSUS
RELIGIOUS BODIES, 10,'JG
State tables. — Tables 3, 4, 5, and 6 present the statistics for the United Baptists
by States. Table 3 gives for each State for 1936 the number and membership
of the churches classified according to their location in urban or rural territory,
membership classified by sex, and data for Sunday schools. Table 4 gives the
number and membership of the churches for the four census years 1906 to 1936,
together with the membership for 1936 classified as "under 13 years of age" and
"13 years of age and over." Table 5 shows the value of church edifices and the
amount of debt on such property for 1936. Table 6 presents, for 1936, the church
expenditures, showing separately current expenses, improvements, benevolences,
etc. In order to avoid disclosing the financial statistics of any individual church,
separate presentation in table 6 is limited to those States in which three or more
churches reported expenditures.
Ecclesiastical divisions, — Table 7 presents, for each association of the United
Baptists, the more important statistical data for 1936 shown by States in the
preceding tables, including number of churches, membership, value and debt on
church edifices, expenditures, and Sunday schools.
TABLE 3. — NUMBER AND MEMBERSHIP OF CHURCHES IN URBAN AND RURAL
TERRITORY, MEMBERSHIP BY SEX, AND SUNDAY SCHOOLS, BY STATES, 1936
NUMBER OF
CHURCHES
NUMBER OF
MEMBERS
MEMBERSHIP BY SEX
SUNDAY
SCHOOLS
GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION
<b
n
w be
o p
««
AND STATE
n-j
P<«2«
C3 °
"3
§
"3
•a
a
f,
0
£
03
l§
^S^
M 0
||
1
n
•2
3
3
<D ^
M1^ ^
& 1-i
ti-w
B
0
£
fc
CQ
A
0
O
CO
United States
277
10
267
27, 000
864
26, 136
9,419
14, 868
2,713
63.4
73
589
4,929
EAST NORTH CENTRAL:
^~"~
•Ohio
11
11
891
891
376
515
73.0
5
41
205
Wisconsin
9
45
45
20
25
WEST NORTH CENTRAL-
Missouri
14
i
13
1,225
43
1,182
397
627
201
63.3
4
a?
157
SOUTH ATLANTIC:
Virginia
0
0
95
95
53
42
West Virginia
5
5,299
35Q
4,940
1,858
3,148
293
59.0
13
107
1,233
EAST SOUTH CENTRAL-
Kentucky
134
4fi
4
130
14, 759
4,651
462
14,297
4,651
5,176
1,539
7,896
2,615
1,687
497
65.6
58.9
23
2R
205
204
1,755
1,579
Tennessee
PACIFIC:
Washington
1
1
35
35
35
1 Eatio not shown where number of females is less than 100.
UNITED BAPTISTS
203
TABLE 4. — NUMBER AND MEMBERSHIP OF CHURCHES, 1906 TO 1936, AND MEM-
BERSHIP BY AGE IN 1936, BY STATES
GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION
AND STATE
NUMBER OF
CHURCHES
NUMBER OF MEMBERS
MEMBERSHIP BY AGE, 1S36
1936
277
1926
1916
1906
1936
1926
1916
1906
Un-
der
13
years
13
years
and
over
Age
not
re-
ported
Per-
cent
under
131
United States
221
254
190
27, 000
18, 903
22, 097
13. 698
203
23, 588
3,209
0.9
EAST NORTH CENTRAL:
Ohio
11
?,
12
1
17
891
45
1,225
663
73
1,381
5
513
45
1,082
373
1.0
Wisconsin
WEST NORTH CENTRAL:
Missouri
14
21
21
28
1
1,581
1,334
1,267
11
143
Nebraska
SOUTH ATLANTIC:
Virginia,- _
9,
95
5,299
14, 759
4,651
95
4,071
13, 476
4,271
West Virginia
67
134
46
48
119
IS
40
192
32
79
3,744
11, 557
1,302
3,565
17, 125
2,226
7,167
111
47
40
1,117
1,236
340
2.7
.3
.9
EAST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Kentucky
Tennessee
WEST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Arkansas
33
1,646
PACIFIC:
Washington _
1
3
35
56
35
1 Based on membership with age classification reported.
TABLE 5. — VALUE OF CHURCHES AND AMOUNT OF CHURCH DEBT BY STATES, 1936
GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION*AND
STATE
Total
number of
churches
Number of
church
edifices
VALUE OF CHURCH
EDIFICES
DEBT ON CHURCH
EDIFICES
Churches
reporting
Amount
Churches
reporting
Amount
United States
277
168
161
10
$179, 215
9,200
8
$4, 173
EAST NORTH CENTRAL:
Ohio
11
2
14
2
67
134
46
1
10
2
500
Wisconsin
WEST NORTH CENTRAL:
Missouri
12
1
32
79
34
12
1
30
75
33
9,750
} i 53,410
87,490
19, 365
SOUTH ATLANTIC:
Virginia
1
5
2,647
1,026
West Virginia
EAST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Kentucky
Tennessee
PACIFIC:
Washington
i Amount for Virginia combined with figures for West Virginia, to avoid disclosing the statistics of any
individual church.
204 CENSUS' OF RELIGIOUS BODIES, 1936
TABLE 6. — CHURCH EXPENDITURES BY STATES, 1936
[Separate presentation is limited to States having 3 or more churches reporting]
GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION
AND STATE
Total
number
of
churches
EXPENDITURES
Churches
reporting
Total
amount
Pastors'
salaries
All other
salaries
Repairs
and im-
provements
United States
277
188
7
12
47
88
31
13
$15, 448
84, 174
271
615
874
1,696
718
$588
24
$3, 737
.', :.!„,"-"" ::,:
161
152
877
1,815
707
25
EAST NORTH CENTRAL:
Ohio
11
14
67
134
46
5
676
938
3,853
6,982
2,967
32
WEST NORTH CENTRAL:
Missouri _
SOUTH ATLANTIC:
West Virginia _.
165
261
138
EAST SOUTH CENTRAL*
Kentucky _.
Tennessee
Other States
GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION AND
STATE
EXPENDITURES— continued
Payment
on church
debt, ex-
cluding
interest
Other
current
expenses,
including
interest
Local
relief and
charity
Home
mission1'
Foreign
missions
To gen-
eral head
quarters
All other
purposes
United States
$1, 657
SI, 589
94
60
381
796
253
5
$802
$803
S426
$194
$1, 678
E\ST NORTH CENTRAL.
Ohio
82
30
1,260
245
40
4
4
30
128
28
40
23
144
662
807
2
WEST NORTH CENTRAL*
Missouri
20
117
644
121
34
5
419
145
SOUTH ATLANTIC:
West Virginia
EAST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Kentucky
416
10
Tennessee -- --
Other States
* Includes- Wisconsin, 1, and Virginia, 2.
UNITED BAPTISTS
205
TABLE 7. — NUMBER AND MEMBERSHIP OF CHURCHES, VALUE AND DEBT ON
CHURCH EDIFICES, EXPENDITURES, AND SUNDAY SCHOOLS, BY ASSOCIATIONS,
1936
ASSOCIATION
Total number of
churches
Number of members
VALUE OF
CHUKCH
EDIFICES
DEBT ON
CHUKCH
EDIFICES
EXPENDITUEES
SUNDAY
SCHOOLS
Churches re-
porting
J
Churches re-
porting
a
o
a
<!
Churches re-
porting
d
&
o
S
•<
Churches re-
porting
o
1
Total
277
27, 000
1,109
2,937
1,329
967
576
116
1,461
239
944
162
14
1,150
256
1,609
278
589
50
3,868
387
88
1,610
100
4,294
2,867
161
$179, 215
8
$4, 173
188
815,448
78
4,929
Bethel
11
34
15
9
6
3
8
3
14
2
1
12
4
19
4
8
2
28
3
1
16
2
38
34
9
39
7
9
5
3
7
1
6
1
8,250
40, 960
3,550
3,965
4,500
1,500
14, 000
C1)
3,800
10
27
9
7
5
2
8
1
9
1
919
2,951
276
100
514
0)
1,753
C1)
3
8
137
856
Bethlehem No. 1 __ __ _
1
2,647
Bethlehem No. 2 __
Blaine Union
Center Point
6
1
6
253
20
425
Central Missouri
Cumberland River
Iron Hill No. 1
Iron Hill No. 2
2
650
Laurel River
Little River
Mountain Association
2
4
6
4
2
0)
5,700
3,650
2,700
C1)
9
2
11
3
5
S97
580
895
179
7
4
2
1
2
750
404
46
30
90
Mount Zion
New Liberty
New Zion
Olive
Paint River
21
1
1
13
21,300
0)
(*)
8,865
5
876
19
2
971
0)
South Concord
South Fork
1
7
35
315
Stockton Valley
14
2
23
19
1,093
2,090
511
969
Unassociated
'Western Union
25
15
12, 750
35, 725
8,000
25
1,568
Zion
n oin b i n flLti^Ti s
i Amount included in figures on the line designated "Combinations/' to avoid disclosing the statistics of
any individual church.
HISTORY, DOCTRINE, AND ORGANIZATION 1
DENOMINATIONAL HISTORY
With the immigration of Baptists from the New England and Middle States
into Virginia, the Carolinas, Tennessee, and Kentucky, and the more intimate
fellowship that grew up in those isolated communities, the distinction between the
different Baptist bodies, Calvinistic or Particular, and Arminian or General,
became in many cases less marked, and a tendency toward union was apparent.
In Virginia and the Carolinas, particularly, and also in Kentucky, during the
latter part of the eighteenth and early part of the nineteenth centuries, a con-
siderable number of the Separate Baptists and those who were known as "Regu-
lar Baptists, }) claiming to represent the original English Baptists before the dis-
tinction between Particular and General became prominent, combined under the
name of "United Baptists." The Separate Baptists emphasized less strongly
the Arminian characteristics of their belief, while the Regular Baptists were
more ready to allow special customs, particularly foot washing, wherever they
were desired. This movement, which took definite form in Richmond, Va., in
1794 and in Kentucky in 1804, for a time gained strength and the associations
kept their identity; but gradually, as they came into closer relations with the
larger Baptist bodies of the North and South, many United Baptist churches
ceased to be distinct and became enrolled with other Baptist bodies.
iThis statement, which is the same as that published in vol. II of the Report on Religious Bodies, 1926,
has been approved in its present form by Elder Aaron Stepp, moderator of the Zion Association, UnHed
Baptists, Inez, Ky.
206 CENSUS1 OF RELIGIOUS BODIES, 1936
Of late years there has developed considerable fellowship with associations still
using the name "Regular/' and with those listed in the census report as the
"Duck River and Kindred Associations of Baptists," and there has been talk of
a consolidation of these different associations. As yet no definite steps to this
end have been taken.
The name " United Baptist'7 still appears on the minutes of many associations
whose churches are enrolled with the Baptists of the Northern Convention or
the Southern Convention, chiefly with the latter, but there are some which retain
their distinctive position. In many cases, even where they are not on the rolls
of the Southern Baptist Convention, they are still in intimate relations with its
churches, attend the same meetings, and are identified with them in many ways.
DOCTRINE AND ORGANIZATION
In doctrine the United Baptists hold that salvation is all of grace and in no
sense of works; yet that it is conditional upon performance of the requirements
of the Gospel which, they claim, is to be preached to all men; and, as all men
are commanded to repent, it necessarily follows that all men are given ability
to repent, being led to repentance by the goodness of God, or, on the other hand,
being led to rebellion and resistance by the devices of Satan; but that, in either
case, it is as the individual inclines the ear and heart, or yields himself to obey.
They observe the ceremony of foot washing, and are strict in their practice of
close communion. In polity they are strictly congregational.
DUCK RIVER AND KINDRED ASSOCIATIONS OF
BAPTISTS (BAPTIST CHURCH OF CHRIST)
STATISTICS
Summary for the United States, with urban-rural classification. — A general
summary of the statistics for the Duck River and Kindred Associations of Baptists
(Baptist Church of Christ) for the year 1936 is presented in table 1, which shows
also the distribution of these figures between urban and rural territory.
The membership of this denomination includes those who have been enrolled
in the local churches upon regeneration and baptism. Baptism is by immersion.
TABLE 1. — SUMMARY OF STATISTICS FOB CHURCHES IN URBAN AND EURAL
TERRITORY, 1936
ITEM
Total
In urban
territory
In rural
territory
PERCENT OF
TOTALS
Urban
Ruril
Clmrclies (local organizations), number
91
7,951
87
2,843
4, 347
761
65 4
31
7,377
543
0.4
74
68
$49, 615
$47, 115
$2, 500
$730
1
$1,000
50
58
$5, 333
$2. 389
$372
$1, 436
$75
$246
$382
$140
$7
$286
$92
20
141
992
4
402
101
159
243
87
7,549
87
2,684
4,104
761
65.4
17
6,989
543
0.2
70
65
$46, 815
$44, 315
$2, 500
$720
1
$1,000
Members, number
5.1
94 y
Average membership per church
Membership by sex:
Male
5.6
5 6
94.4
94.4
100 0
Female
Sex not reported
Males per 100 females . .
65.4
14
388
Membership by age:
Under 13 years
13 years and over
5 3
94 7
100 0
Age not reported
Percent tinder 13 years 2
3.5
4
3
$2, 800
$2, ROO
Glmrcli edifices, number.
Value — number reporting _ _
Amount reported
5,6
5.9
94 4
94.1
100.0
Constructed prior to 1936
Constructed, wholly or in part, in 1936.
Average value per church..
$933
Debt — number reporting
Amount reported
100 0
Number reporting "no debt"
2
3
$528
$286
$117
$25
48
55
$4, 805
$2, 103
$255
$1,411
$75
$246
$332
$90
$7
$286
m~
17
111
839
Expenditures :
Churches reporting, number
Amount reported
9.9
12.0
31.5
1.7
90 1
88.0
68.5
9S 3
Pastors' salaries
All other salaries
Repairs and improvements
Payment on church debt, excluding inter-
est
All other current expenses, including
interest
100. 0
86.9
64.3
Local relief and chanty, Red Cross, etc...
Horrie missions - _-
$50
$50
13 1
35.7
To general headquarters for distribution . ,
All other purposes
100.0
Average expenditure per church
$176
3
30
153
Sunday schools:
Churches reporting number
Officers and teachers _ .
21.3
15.4
78.7
84 6
Scholars-
1 Percent not shown where base is less than 100,
2 Based on membership with ago classification reported.
207
208
CENSUS' OF RELIGIOUS BODIEiS, 1936
Comparative data, 1906-36. — Table 2 presents, in convenient form for com-
parison, a summary of the available statistics of the Duck River and Kindred
Associations of Baptists for the census years 1936, 1926, 1916, and 1906.
TABLE 2. — COMPAKATIVE SUMMARY, 1906 TO 1936
ITEM
1936
1936
1916
1906
Churclies (local organizations), number
91
98
105
92
Increase J over preceding census.
Number ... .
-7
-7
13
Percent 2 j>
-8.7
Members, number
7,951
7,340
6,872
6,416
Increase over preceding census.
Number
611
468
456
Percent-. _
8.3
6 8
7.1
A.vpr^,£Q •m<arn"bp'f<?hfp pp.r r»hprfih
37
75
65
70
Church edifices, number
74
76
51
86
Value — number reporting
68
75
49
86
Amount reported _
$49, 615
$51, 175
$40, 600
$44, 321
Average value per church _ . .
$730
$682
$829
$515
Debt — number reporting
1
2
3
Amount reported
$1,000
$195
$107
Expenditures :
Churches reporting number
58
46
67
Amount reported.. __ . .
$5, 333
$5, 362
$2, 518
Pastors* salaries .
$2, 389
All other salaries.
$372
Repairs and improvements
$1, 436
$3, S45
$1, 206
Payment on church debt, excluding interest
All other current expenses, including interest ...
Local relief and charity, Red Cross, etc
$75
$246
$382
"FTorno rmssinns
$140
Foreign missions,
$867
$1, 312
To general headquarters for distribution
$7
Ail other purposes
$286
Not classified
$650
Average expenditure per church
$92
$117
$38
Sunday schools :
Churches reporting, number, .
20
14
8
9
Officers and teachers
141
78
48
37
Scholars .. .
992
795
399
402
i A minus sign f— ) denotes decrease.
* Percent not shown where base is less than 100.
State tables. — Tables 3, 4, 5, and 6 present the statistics for the Duck River
and Kindred Associations of Baptists by States. Table 3 gives for each State
for 1936 the number and membership of the churches classified according to their
location in urban or rural territory, membership classified by sex, and data for
Sunday schools. Table 4 gives the number and membership of the churches
for the four census years 1906 to 1936, together with the membership for 1936
classified as "under 13 years of age" and "13 years of age and over." Table 5
shows the value of church edifices and the amount of debt on such property for
1936. Table 6 presents, for 1936, the church expenditures, showing separately
current expenses, improvements, benevolences, etc.
Ecclesiastical divisions. — Table 7 presents, for each association of the Duck
River Baptists, the more important statistical data for 1936 shown by States in
the preceding tables, including number of churches, membership, value and debt
on church edifices, expenditures, and Sunday schools.
DUCK RIVE® AND KINDRED' ASSOCIATIONS
209
TABLE 8. — NUMBER AND MEMBERSHIP OF CHURCHES IN URBAN AND RURAL
TERRITORY, MEMBERSHIP BY SEX, AND SUNDAY SCHOOLS, BY STATES, 1936
NUMBER OP
CHURCHES
NUMBER OS1 MEM-
BERS
MEMBERSHIP BY SEX
SUNDAY SCHOOLS
GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION
S-i
§
g
PJ 03
AND STATE
'o
1-4 O
gfl
a>
cs
O "£
ft ""
JlS
S
3
o
a
,2
1
1
1
1
•i
fl o
'^"<~l
§S
s a
^^
"o
-g
P
p
PH
§
fe
CQ
§
0
O
ra
United States
91
4
W
7,951
402
7 549
2,843
4,347
761
65 4
20
141
992
SOUTH ATLANTIC:
Georgia
1
1
170
170
70
100
70.0
1
13
25
EAST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Tennessee
52
1
51
4,576
12
4 564
1 587
2 613
376
60.7
15
98
689
Alabama
31
9
9Q
2,844
220
2 624
1 001
1,458
385
68 7
4
30
278
Mississippi _.
7
7
361
361
185
176
105 1
TABLE 4. — NUMBER AND MEMBERSHIP OF CHURCHES, 1906 TO 1936, AND MEM-
BERSHIP BY AGE IN 1936, BY STATES
STATE
NUMBER OP
CHURCHES
NUMBER OF MEMBERS
MEMBERSHIP BY AGE, 1936
1936
1936
1916
1906
1936
1926
1916
1906
Un-
der
13
years
13
years
and
over
Age
not
re-
ported
Per-
cent
under
13 i
United States
91
98
105
92
7,951
7,340
6,872
8,418
31
7,377
543
0 4
Georgia
1
52
31
7
1
58
31
8
170
4,576
2,844
361
29
4,490
2,453
368
6
15
9
1
164
4,105
2,748
360
3 5
.4
.?>
.3
Tennessee
67
33
5
56
28
8
4,589
2,034
249
4,099
1,947
370
456
87
Alabama.. __
Mississippi
1 Based on membership with age classification reported.
TABLE 5. — VALUE OP CHUBCHES AND AMOUNT OF CHURCH DEBT BY STATES, 1936
Total
number
Number
VALUE 01
EDII
7 CHURCH
ICES
DEBT ON
EDIF
CHURCH
ICES
STATE
of
churches
edifices
Churches
reporting
Amount
Churches
reporting
Amount
United States
91
74
68
$49, 615
1
$1,000
Georgia
1
1
Tennessee . _
52
40
40
32, 965
Alabama
31
26
23
13, 950
Mississippi _
7
7
5
2,700
1
1,000
210 CKJSttUS1 OK R.KLIUIOUS BODIEH, ]{»:-; 6
TABLE 6. — CHURCH EXPENDITUEES BY STATES, 1936
1
EXPENDITURES
3
o
bfl
fl
"3 «
o5 Q
rt
•2
M
STATE
number of
dies reportil
1
rs* salaries
1
1
urs and i
movements
aent on chui
)t, excludi
erest
TD
4-3 3
11
3 ^^s
c3
If
e missions
general he
quarters
her purpose
cs
S
3
In
o
ft
&*"d
Ja ^"d
a
a
o
Q
o
%
CD
o
o
o
O
PL,
<{
PH
PH
0
w
<!
United States __.
91
58
So, 333
82,339
$372
81,436
$75
S21C
S382
$140
$7
S286
Georgia -
1
52
]i37
3,757
2,287
347
756
133
60
65
4
105
Tennessee __
Alabama -
31
17
1,349
25
25
680
75
38
302
70
3
131
]VI ississipp i
7
4
227
77
75
20
5
50
1 Amount for Georgia combined with figures for Tennessee, to avoid disclosing the statistics of any indi-
vidual church.
TABLE 7. — NUMBER AND MEMBERSHIP OF CHURCHES, VALUE AND DEBT ON
CHURCH EDIFICES, EXPENDITURES, AND SUNDAY SCHOOLS, BY ASSOCIATIONS,
1936
ASSOCIATION
Total number of
churches
Number of members
VALUE OF
CHURCH
EDIFICES
DEBT ON
CHURCH
EDIFICES
EXPENDITURES
SUNDAY
SCHOOLS
Churches re-
porting
Amount
j Churches re-
_ porting
Amount
Churches re-
porting
Amount
Churches re-
porting
Scholars
- Total
91
7,951
68
S49, 615
81,000
58
$5, 333
20
992
D uck River
21
6
6
7
27
10
1
10
2,508
261
255
420
2,817
826
70
794
22
1
4
6
19
9
1
6
23, 140
} i 3, 500
2,200
12, 950
} 24,275
3,550
18
<S
15
8
6
2,326
30
292
109
1,651
538
387
4
1
200
49
East Union
1
1,000
Ebenezer _.
Liberty
Mount Pleasant
6
/ 5
1 5
368
215
20
140
Mount Zion,__
New Liberty _
Union
i Amount for East Union Association combined with figures for Ebenezer Association, to avoid disclosing
the statistics of any individual church.
* Amount for Mount Zion Association combined with figures for New Liberty Association, to avoid dis-
closing the statistics 01 any individual church.
HISTORY, DOCTRINE, AND ORGANIZATION '
DENOMINATIONAL HISTORY
Baptist principles quite early gained a strong foothold in the mountainous
sections of Tennessee, many of the early settlers being Baptists from the older
States, led by Elder George Foster from Kentucky, and others. Five churches
were organized in 1807, and these came together in 1808 and organized the Elk
River Association, one of the oldest associations in middle Tennessee.
This association was strongly Calvinistic in doctrine. There grew up an ele-
ment within it, however, which was more liberal in its belief in the atonement and
the plan of salvation. As this element increased, the opposite party became even
stricter in its theology and practice. These differences became so great that in
1 This statement, which is the same as that published in vol. II of the Report on Religious Bodies, 1926, has
been approved in its present form by S F. Shelton, clerk, Duck River and Kindred Associations of Baptists,
Christiana, Tenn.
DUCK RIVER AND KINDRED1 ASSOCIATIONS 211
1825 the liberal minority withdrew from the association and organized the Duck
River Association. On account of this division, they were for a, time called the
"Separate Baptists," although they did not actually identify themselves with that
body. With the increase in churches, other associations have been organized,
principally in Tennessee and Alabama, which have regular affiliation with each
other.
Later discussion arose as to the legitimacy of missionary operations as then
conducted, missionary contributions being compulsory on the part of the churches;
there came another division, some withdrawing and identifying themselves with
the churches which became known as the Missionary Baptists, but leaving the
others still more closely bound together.
DOCTRINE
In doctrine, the Duck River and its kindred associations are Calvinistic,
though liberal, believing that "Christ tasted death for every man" and made it
possible for God to have mercy upon all who come unto Him on Gospel terms.
They believe that sinners are justified by faith; that the saints will "persevere
in grace," and that baptism of believers by immersion, the Lord's Supper, and the
washing of the saints7 feet are Gospel institutions and should be observed until
the second coming of Christ. While acknowledging the similarity of their doctrinal
position to that of the Separate Baptists, they have not as yet seen their way
clear to form a union with them, although an increasing sentiment appears to
exist among the churches in favor of such union. Similar discussion has arisen
with regard to the United and Regular Baptists, but no action has been taken.
ORGANIZATION
In polity they are in accord with other Baptists, believing that no one member
has a ruling voice over another. All business is transacted by a majority vote,
no one person being given any ecclesiastical power over a church or churches.
Admission to the church is by examination and vote of the church, and ordina-
tion to the ministry is by two or more ordained ministers, the candidate being ex-
pected to demonstrate his consciousness of a divine call to preach the gospel. The
minister has no right to demand a sta'ted salary s but the local church is expected
to give liberally, "that they which preach the gospel [may] live of the gospel."
The association meetings are purely for purposes of fellowship, and communi-
cation with kindred bodies is by messenger or letter. The only form of discipline
is withdrawal of fellowship, on evidence of difference of views or of conduct
unbecoming a member of the church.
WORK
While not represented by any distinctive missionary societies or benevolent
organizations, this body is not to be classed with antimissionary churches. Since
it occupies mountainous sections chiefly and represents the less wealthy com-
munities, the missionary spirit finds expression in local evangelistic work. As
it comes in contact more and more with other churches its sense of fellowship has
broadened, and with this has been apparent a desire to share in the wider work of
the general church.
275318—41 15
PRIMITIVE BAPTISTS
STATISTICS
Summary for tlie United States, with urban-rural classification. — A general
summary of the statistics for the Primitive Baptists for the year 1936 is pre-
sented in table 1, which shows also the distribution of these figures between
urban and rural territory.
The membership of this denomination consists of those persons who have
been enrolled in the local churches upon profession of faith and baptism by
immersion.
TABLE I. — SUMMARY OF STATISTICS FOR CHURCHES IN URBAN AND RURAL
TERRITORY, 1936
ITEM
Total
In urban
territory
In rural
territory
PERCENT OF
TOTAL 1
Urban
Rural
Churches (local organizations) , number
1,726
69, 157
40
23,490
41, 795
3,872
56.2
220
60, 132
8, 805
0.4
1,426
1,365
$2, 180, 047
$2,116,855
§63, 192
$1, 597
47
$13, 649
1,011
20
14
$31,800
1,054
$157, 530
$69, 517
$5, 319
$38,000
$9, 382
$18, 971
$6, 034
$915
$1,489
$7, 903
$149
41
312
2,631
224
10, 892
49
3,755
6,509
628
57.7
47
9,757
1,088
0.5
186
182
$599, 122
$586, 000
$1?, 122
$3, 292
23
$4, 193
129
5
5
$11, 000
159
$49, 597
$19, 691
$2, 006
$9,435
$6, 823
$7,977
$1, 639
$233
$274
$1, 519
$312
11
130
897
1,502
58, 265
39
19, 735
35, 286
3,244
55.9
173
50,375
7,717
03
1,240
1,183
$1, 580, 925
$1, 530, 855
$50, 070
$1, 336
24
$9,456
882
15
9
$20,800
895
$107, 933
$49, 826
$3, 313
$28,565
$2, 559
$10, 994
$4, 395
$682
$1, 215
$6, 384
$121
30
182
1,734
13.0
15.7
87.0
84 3
Members, number. _ _
Avp,rj?.£rfl mprnhpr^hip P<*T clviroh
Membership by sex:
Male
16.0
15.6
16.2
84.0
84.4
83.8
J* emale
Sex not reported
Males per 100 females
Membership by age:
Under 13 years
21.4
16.2
12 4
78 6
83.8
87 6
13 yesrs and over
A?e not reported
Percent under 13 years2
Church edifices, number
13.0
13.3
27.5
27.7
20.8
87.0
86.7
72.5
72.3
79.2
Value — number reporting
Amount reported
Constructed prior to 1936. _
Constructed, wholly or in part, in 1936_
Average value per church
Debt — number reporting .
Amount reported -_ . _
30.7
12.8
69.3
87.2
Number reporting "no debt"_
Parsonages, number
Value — number reporting _,
Amount reported _
34.6
15.1
31.5
2S.3
37,7
24.8
72.7
42 0
27.2
25.5
18.4
19.2
65.4
84.9
68.5
71.7
62.3
75.2
27.3
58.0
72.8
74.5
81. 6
80.8
Expenditures :
Churches reporting, number ._
Amount reported
Pastors' salaries
All other salaries
Repairs and improvements
Payment on church debt, excluding
interest- _. - -_
All other current expenses, including
interest
Local relief and charity, Red Cross, etc. .
Uome missions
To general headquarters for distribution. _
All other purposes
Average expenditure per church
Sunday schools :
Churches reporting, number
Officers and teachers
41.7
34.1
58.3
65.9
Scholars
i Percent not shown where base is less than 100.
* Based on membership with age classification reported.
212
PEIMITIVE BAPTISTS
213
Comparative data, 1906-36. — Table 2 presents, in convenient form for compari-
son, a summary of the available statistics of the Primitive Baptists for the census
years 1936, 1926, 1916, and 1906.
TABLE 2. — COMPARATIVE SUMMARY, 1906 TO 1936
ITEM
1936
1926
1916
1906
Churches (local organizations), number
1,726
2,267
2 142
2,878
Increase 1 over preceding census:
Number
—541
125
—736
Percent... _ _
—23.9
5.8
—25.6
Members, number . . ._
69, 157
81, 374
80, 311
102,311
Increase1 over preceding census:
Number _
—12,217
1,063
—22, 000
Percent _ _ __ ._ _ _
—15 0
1.3
—21 5
Average membership per church __
40
36
37
36
Church, edifices, number
1,426
1,057
1, 097
2,003
Value — nnTnber reporting
1,365
1 037
1 580
1,953
Amount reported
$2, 180 047
$1, 730 348
$1, 601, 807
$1, 674, 810
Average value per church
$1, 597
$1 669
$1 014
$858
Debt — number reporting
47
67
45
68
Amount reported
$13, 649
$25, 734
$12, 053
$16, 207
Parsonages, number
20
Value — number reporting
14
6
7
16
Amount reported
$31, 800
$13, 313
$14, 900
$38, 295
Expenditures :
Churches reporting, number
1,054
776
964
ATTiQiTnt rfiportp.rj
$157, 530
$166 847
$96, 270
Pastors' salaries
$69, 517
All other salaries
$5, 319
Repairs and improvements
$38, 000
[ $140,678
$92, 329
Payment on church debt, excluding interest
All other current expenses, including interest...
Local relief and charity, Red Cross, etc
$9, 382
$18,971
$6, 034
Home missions
$915
To general headquarters for distribution
$1,489
> $16, 945
$3, 941
All other purposes
$7, 903
Not classified
$9, 224
Average expenditure per church
$149
$215
$100
Sunday schools:
fhnrchfif? reporting} Twrnbp-r
41
5
Officers and "teachers
312
25
Scholars
2,631
181
1 A minus sign (— ) denotes decrease.
State tables. — Tables 3, 4, 5, and 6 present the statistics for the Primitive Bap-
tists by States. Table 3 gives for each State for 1936 the number and member-
ship of the churches classified according to their location in urban or rural territory,
membership classified by sex, and data for Sunday schools. Table 4 gives for
selected States the number and membership of the churches for the four census years
1906 to 1936, together with the membership for 1936 classified as "under 13 years
of age" and "13 years of age and over." Table 5 shows the value of church edi-
fices and the amount of debt on such property for 1936. Table 6 presents, for
1936, the church expenditures, showing separately current expenses, improve-
ments, benevolences, etc. In order to avoid disclosing the financial statistics
of any individual church, separate presentation in tables 5 and 6 is limited to
those States in which three or more churches reported value and expenditures.
Ecclesiastical divisions. — Table 7 presents, for each association of the Primitive
Baptists, the more important statistical data for 1936 shown by States in the
preceding tables, including number of churches, membership, value of church
edifices, and expenditures.
214
CENSUS1 OF RELIGIOUS BODIES, 19
TABLE 3. — NUMBER AND MEMBERSHIP OF CHURCHES IN URBAN AND RURAL
TERRITORY, MEMBERSHIP BY SEX, AND SUNDAY SCHOOLS, BY STATES, 1936
GEOGEAPHIC DIVISION AND
STATE
NUMBER OF
CHURCHES
NUMBER OF MEM-
BERS
MEMBERSHIP BY SEX
SUNDAY
SCHOOLS
"3
1
1
P
2
3
"os
1
1
1
(§
o
"e3
%
C3
"3
S
o
f=H
2
§1
g^
CO
Males per 100
females i
Churches re-
porting
*o
|S
S
•3
2,631
United States
1,726
224
1,502
69, 157
10, 892
58, 265
11
23,490
41, 795
3,872
56.2
41
312
NEW ENGLAND:
IVTaine
2
1
12
2
9
38
62
39
2
6
1
1
3
1
1
7
S
4
1
1
37
26
8
29
Miassachusetts
MIDDLE ATLANTIC:
New York
9
1
8
31
54
35
1
6
54
4
1
131
34
98
852
2,972
1,478
25
208
2,561
147
54
6
18
180
543
210
9
77
28
80
672
2,429
1,268
16
208
2,140
147
36
106
24
11
25
276
1,007
524
12
74
934
56
1
18
42
107
23
73
576
1,800
954
13
134
1,627
91
6
31
113
22.4
New Jersey
Pennsylvania
EAST NORTH CENTEAL:
Ohio
47.9
55.9
54.9
1
10
69
Indiana
165
Illinois
Michigan
WEST NORTH CENTEAL:
Iowa
55.2
Missouri
62
4
8
421
57.4
—
....
Nebraska
TRTaTifWis
1
SOUTH ATLANTIC-
Delaware
4
10
1
202
45
211
11
304
67
79
131
165
64
54
n
32
89
1
1
3
1
13
5
24
1
50
11
6
19
22
5
4
1
6
16
3
7
~~I§9
40
187
10
254
56
73
112
143
59
50
10
26
73
1
3
1
49
155
70
9,270
1,259
6,965
289
12, 913
2,756
3,204
7,394
6,515
2, 550
1,745
359
1,371
3,637
29
59
15
13
49
70
723
140
795
25
2,637
458
389
1,668
1,072
238
157
9
265
694
......
Maryland
37.2
District of Columbia. _
Virginia..
70
8,547
1,119
6,170
264
10, 276
2,298
2,815
5,726
5,443
2,312
1,588
350
1, 106
2,943
29
39
15
2,744
447
2,096
106
4,232
949
1,258
2,635
2,458
948
643
136
453
1,333
11
25
4
5,738
782
4,689
183
7,700
1,447
1,772
4,297
3,837
1,602
982
223
768
2,132
18
34
11
788
30
180
47.8
57 2
44.7
57.9
55.0
65.6
71.0
61.3
64.1
59.2
65.5
61 0
12
69
713
West Virginia
North. Carolina
South Carolina
2
3
22
24
152
140
Georgia
981
360
174
462
220
Florida...
EAST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Kentucky
Tennessee
14
4
1
1
115
28
4
11
1,059
220
30
103
Alabama
Mississippi
WEST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Arkansas
120
Louisiana
Oklahoma .. __
150
172
59.0
62.5
Texas
3
29
145
MOUNTAIN:
Idaho .
Colorado
4
1
1
PACIFIC:
California
1 Ratio not shown where number of females is less than 100.
PRIMITIVE BAPTISTS
215
TABLE 4. — NUMBER AND MEMBERSHIP OF CHURCHES, 1906 TO 1936, AND MEM-
BERSHIP BY AGE IN 1936, BY STATES
(Separate presentation is limited to States having 3 or more churches in either 1936, 1926, 1916, or 1906]
GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION
AND STATE
NUMBER OF CHURCHES
NUMBER OF MEMBERS
MEMBERSHIP BY AGE, 1936
1936
1936
1916
1906
1936
1926
1916
1906
Un-
der
13
years
13
years
and
over
Age
not re-
ported
Per-
cent
under
131
United States
1,726
2,267
2,142
2,878
69, 157
37
131
34
98
852
2,972
1,478
208
2,561
147
7
49
155
9,270
1,259
6,965
289
12,913
2,756
3,204
7,394
6,515
2,550
1,745
359
1,371
3,637
81,374
80, 311
102,311
220
60, 132
8,805
0.4
NEW ENGLAND.
Maine
2
12
2
9
38
62
39
6
62
4
1
4
10
202
45
211
11
304
67
79
131
165
64
54
11
32
89
4
4
15
3
8
50
74
62
11
71
5
5
6
13
214
52
295
18
401
73
114
158
201
101
91
18
41
154
4
23
46
95
53
10
59
6
2
9
198
14
279
11
420
60
55
208
242
101
97
12
27
88
2
20
4
20
57
147
118
25
114
5
12
7
12
232
58
272
16
439
60
159
244
303
115
108
38
28
236
53
211
89
116
1,204
3,962
2,300
388
2,858
170
126
70
223
9,745
1,343
9,963
490
15, 317
2,224
4,365
7,007
6,483
3,485
1,979
546
1,390
5,087
57
385
68
435
225
397
1,588
8,132
5,163
657
4,040
118
207
227
251
9, 642
2,019
10,207
606
16, 157
1,781
5,442
10, 204
9,772
3,416
2,591
781
587
7,095
37
MIDDLE ATLANTIC:
New York
131
New Jersey
34
Pennsylvania
115
1,308
5,432
2,621
344
2,636
158
98
EAST NORTH CENTRAL:
Ohio
9
805
2,943
1,409
208
38
29
56
1.1
Indiana
Illinois
13
.9
WEST NORTH CENTRAL:
Iowa
Missouri
23
1
2,501
146
7
37
.9
.7
Nebraska
Kansas
SOUTH ATLANTIC:
Delaware
61
201
9,314
673
10,481
430
15, 871
49
Maryland-
155
Virginia
coco
7,641
1,173
5,197
249
10,859
2,492
3,199
6,689
5,451
2,548
1,548
359
1,616
83
1,768
39
1,987
256
.2
.3
West Virginia
North Carolina
South Carolina..
1
67
8
5
14
9
2
10
.4
.6
.3
,2
.2
.2
.1
.6
Georgia
Florida
1,898
2,250
8,925
7,652
3,401
2,247
398
662
2,543
EAST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Kentucky
Tennessee
691
1,055
Alabama
Mississippi
WEST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Arkansas
187
Louisiana
Oklahoma
6
36
1,007
3,011
59
358
590
.6
1.2
Texas
MOUNTAIN:
Colorado
PACIFIC:
Washington
5
2
6
8
10
9
106
31
111
193
157
153
Oregon
Other States
>6
9
142
180
127
15
i Based on membership with age classification reported.
1 Includes 2 churches in Michigan; and 1 m each of the following-— Massachusetts, Idaho, California,
and the District of Columbia.
216 GENSfUS1 OF RELIGIOUS BODIES, 1936
TABLE 5. — VALUE OF CHURCHES AND AMOUNT OF CHUECH DEBT BY STATES, 1936
[Separate presentation is limited to States having 3 or more churches reporting value of edifices]
GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION AND
STATE
Total
n!umber of
churches
Number
of church
edifices
VALUE OS1 CHUECH
EDIFICES
DEBT ON CHUECH
EDIFICES
Churches
reporting
Amount
Churches
reporting
Amount
United States
1,726
1,426
1,365
$2, 180, 047
47
$13, 849
MIDDLE ATLANTIC:
New York
12
9
38
62
39
6
62
4
4
10
202
45
211
11
304
67
79
131
165
64
54
11
32
89
15
10
8
36
58
36
6
55
3
5
8
152
36
184
11
270
56
53
103
135
56
39
9
20
67
10
10
8
35
56
34
5
52
3
4
7
145
35
180
9
259
55
49
99
129
54
33
9
20
66
19
24, 300
17,000
71,050
109, 512
66, 300
7,100
99, 295
6,900
22,500
42, 000
243,900
53, 525
357, 425
6,350
438, 190
79, 800
44, 960
137, 890
126, 992
43, 600
23, 558
5,100
28,000
61, 700
63,100
Pennsylvania
EAST NOETH CENTRAL:
Ohio
Indiana
1
1
1
1
275
100
100
400
Illinois
WEST NORTH CENTRAL:
Iowa .
Missouri
Nebraska
SOUTH ATLANTIC.
Delaware
Maryland
Virginia
3
1
5
1
11
4
2
4
2
360
254
1,392
446
4,495
1,235
295
2,720
114
West Virginia
North Carolina
South Carolina
Georgia
Florida
EAST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Kentucky.
Tennessee
Alabama , ,. __ „__
Mississippi
WEST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Arkansas
1
160
Louisiana
Oklahoma
2
7
312
991
Texas
Other States
i Includes 2 churches each in the States of Maine and New Jersey; and 1 in each of the following— Massa-
chusetts, Kansas, Idaho, Colorado, and the District of Columbia.
PRIMITIVE BAPTISTS
217
TABLE 6. — CHURCH EXPENDITURES BY STATES, 1936
[Separate presentation is limited to States having 3 or more churches reporting]
GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION AND
STATE
Total
number
of
churches
EXPENDITURES
Churches
reporting
Total
amount
Pastors'
salaries
All other
salaries
Eepairs
and im-
provements
United States. .
MIDDLE ATLANTIC:
New York
Pennsylvania. __.
EAST NORTH CENTRAL:
Ohio™
Indiana __
Illinois
WEST NORTH CENTRAL:
Iowa
Missouri.
Nebraska
1,726
12
SOUTH ATLANTIC:
Maryland.. 10
Virginia 202
West Virginia 45
North Carolina 211
South Carolina. 11
Georgia 304
Florida 67
EAST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Kentucky 79
Tennessee 131
Alabama 165
Mississippi 04
WEST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Arkansas... 54
Louisiana 11
Oklahoma 32
Texas
Other States 19
1,054
8157, 530
$69, 517
4
117
28
126
8
209
43
30
6
16
51
U3
3,046
798
4,092
5,942
3,653
813
6,052
338
11, 341
2,525
14, 42S
1,633
49, 894
3,693
3,133
10, 467
9,412
5,377
3,981
558
1,708
7,399
1,835
629
1,796
3,251
2,101
301
2,762
600
2,262
340
3,270
661
26, 257
1,452
341
5,369
4,595
2,226
2,087
383
618
3,545
2,836
$5,319
30
84
169
18
443
158
30
74
74
493
423
165
567
2
31
175
802
$38, 000
48
858
20
1,078
110
210
5,047
890
6,080
139
9,828
602
1,403
3,042
1,777
900
124
215
1,052
802
* Includes 2 churches in each of the following States^-New Jersey, Delaware, and Colorado; and 1 in
each of the following*— Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Kansas, Idaho, California, and the District of
Columbia.
218 CEisrsncrs1 OF RELIGIOUS BODIES, 1936
TABLE 0. — CHURCH EXPENDITURES BY STATES, 1936 — Continued
[Separate presentation is limited to States having 3 or more churches reporting]
GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION AND STATE
EXPENDITURES "-continued
Payment
on church
debt, ex-
cluding
interest
Other
current
expenses,
including
interest
Local
relief
and
chanty
Home
missions
To gen-
eral
head-
quarters
Allother
purposes
United States..
$9, 382
818,971
93
31
618
633
187
162
1,901
88
$6, 034
S915
SI, 489
$7, 903
29
60
229
208
230
330
77
140
MIDDLE ATLANTIC:
New York-
100
Pennsylvania
EAST NORTH CENTRAL.
Ohio
8
665
15
20
12
137
39
12
Indiana
Illinois
WEST NORTH CENTRAL
Iowa
Missouri
65
Nebraska
SOUTH ATLANTIC
Maryland
Virginia
320
710
1,365
248
4, 335
600
1,765
416
1,465
160
3,591
278
1,567
1,649
312
439
76
301
26
735
65
2,804
244
105
244
214
455
280
20
55
236
115
465
16
179
738
58
1,151
108
1,619
236
111
638
667
272
36
29
347
598
West Virginia.
16
25
222
302
155
North Carolina
South Carolina
Georgia
296
52
73
130
52
5
33
Florida
EAST SOUTH CENTRAL-
Kentucky
Tennessee -_ -
500
37
41
70
38
Alabama
Mississippi
WEST SOUTH CENTRAL
Arkansas
10
Louisiana . . _ _. _
Oklahoma
100
419
342
1,339
1,859
Texas
35
5
Other States
TABLE 7. — NUMBER AND MEMBERSHIP OF CHURCHES, VALUE OF CHURCH
EDIFICES, AND EXPENDITURES, BY ASSOCIATIONS, 1936
ASSOCIATION
Total
number
of
churches
Number
of mem-
bers
VALUE OF CHURCH
EDIFICES
EXPENDITURES
Churches
reporting
Amount
Churches
reporting
Amount
Total
1,726
69, 157
1,365
$2, 180, 047
1,054
$157, 530
Alabama:
Antioch
14
11
2
6
8
10
12
1
14
1
3
9
7
3
5
550
463
21
99
242
423
316
31
280
10
136
260
142
140
330
8
10
2
4
6
10
12
1
4
1
3
9
7
1
5
3,300
9,050
<U
14, 572
12, 850
18,500
(lm
(*)
2,200
6,650
5,600
0)
3.800
5
7
2
2
6
5
140
1,793
W
0)
934
412
Beulah
Buttahatctae
Cane Creek
Conecuh River
Choctawhatchee
Ebenezer
Elk Rivfir (nf TermRSSflft)
1
2
8
Fellowship
Five Mile Creek
Flint River
2
5
3
1
4
0)
383
305
WB.W
Hillabee.
Hopewell __ - .
Little Vine
"fftywpr WntTimpVft
See footnote at end of table.
PK.IMITIVE BAPTISTS'
219
TABLE 7. — NUMBER AND MEMBEESHIP OP CHUKCHES, VALTTE OF CHURCH
EDIFICES, AND EXPENDITURES, BY ASSOCIATIONS, 1936 — Continued
ASSOCIATION
Total
number
of
churche
Number
of mem-
bers
VALUE OF CHITECH
EDIFICES
EXPENDITUBES
Churche
reportin
Amount
Churche
reportin
Amount
Alabama— Continued.
Mount Zion ___
22
952
266
21
92
25
23
199
280
10
28
654
457
43
67
288
93
3U
260
103
137
325
269
224
15
11
48
21
28
70
166
12
1,018
64
67
39
288
1,000
445
448
847
168
259
9
390
964
251
187
200
559
252
242
805
19
$14,000
0)
8
09
12
3
1
$925
203
G)
0)
Mud Creek
New Hope
Patsaliga .
Pilgrims Rest „
1
Primitive Western Union (of
Georgia) _
1
2
2
1
1
5
2
2
2
8
0)
8
0)
(9
1,368
8
eu
Sand Mountain
3
6
1
1
7
4
5
3
9
4
2
9
4
3
14
2
5
1
1
3
2
2
1
4
1
21
1
3
2
9
24
14
13
13
3
6
1
11
22
11
4
5
14
7
4
19
4
1
2,000
3,950
09
Second Creek
Sucarnoochee
Tombigbee (of Mississippi)
Wetumpka
7
3
2
1
5
3
2
6
3
3
8
2
1
7,600
«t"°
0)
4,950
1,200
09
4,000
1,300
1,700
8,940
(9
C1)
Willis Creek
"Unassociated
Arkansas:
Little Zion
Mountain Springs
New Hope _
North Ouachita ._
1
5
4
2
8
1
(9
354
104
0so5
(9
Point Bemove
Rich Mountain, .
Salem
South Arkansas
South Ouachita- . .
Sugar Creek
California:
Union (of Oklahoma)
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
13
«
(9
(9
C9
(9
09
(9
(9
1,492
Colorado:
West Texas (of Texas)
Unassociated
1
2
2
1
3
1
18
1
2
2
8
19
7
8
9
2
5
09
0)
09
(9
1,900
0)
37,300
09
09
(I)
7,150
21,800
4,800
6,500
15, 700
(9
9,050
Delaware:
Delaware.- _
Salisbury (of Maryland)
District of Columbia:
Ketocton (of Virginia) . ,
Florida^
Antioch .
nhnntaw^atnhAA (nf Alftfuvma)
TVfniiTlt TCnnn
"Patsaliga (of Alabama)
Pilgrims Rest
1
1
6
17
4
3
10
2
6
(9
W337
1,034
378
35
3,478
(9
1,487
St. Mary's River
San Pedro
Suwannee
Georgia:
Alahabee River No. 1
Alahabee River No. 2
Bethel
Blue Ridge
Brushy Creek Union
Conecuh River (of Alabama)
Ebenezer
10
19
11
4
5
12
5
3
17
9,600
37,200
8,330
8,600
13,500
28,700
5,000
2,300
35,200
10
19
10
4
3
4
3
1
17
1,221
5,710
369
2,345
1,413
465
680
(9
2,983
F/checonnee - ..,- -„„
Euharlee
Fellowship
Friendship. .
Flint River
Harmony
Little River
Lott's Creek
See footnote at end of table.
220
OF RELIGIOUS BODIES, 1936
TABLE 7. — NUMBER AND MEMBERSHIP OF CHURCHES, VALUE OF CHURCH
EDIFICES, AND EXPENDITURES, BY ASSOCIATIONS, 1936 — Continued
ASSOCIATION
Total
number
of
churches
Number
of mem-
bers
VALTTE OF CHURCH
EDIFICES
Churches
reporting
Amount
EXPENDITUEES
Churches
reporting
Amount
Georgia— Continued.
Lower Canoochee
Marietta
New Hope
Ochlochee
Ocmulgee _
Oconee
Original Upper Canoochee
Primitive Baptist Union
Primitive Western
Primitive Western Union
Pulaski
Providence
Salem
St. Mary's River (of Florida) .
Towaliga _
UpatoL
Upper Canoochee
Yellow River
Unassociated
Idaho:
Skillet Fork (of Illinois)
Illinois:
Central...
Concord
Kaskaskia _
Little Wabash
Muddy River _
Salem
Skillet Fork... _
Wabash
Unassociated
Indiana:
Blue River
Conn's Creek _ _
Danville
Little Zion
Mount Salem..
Mississnewa _ _
Patoka
Salem
White River..
White Water..
Unassociated..
Iowa:
Missouri Valley-
Western
Unassoeiated
Kansas:
Turkey Creek..
Kentucky:
Burning Spring
Eastern District (of Virginia) .
Greenfield
Highland
Mates Creek... _
New Liberty
North District
Powells Valley
Red Bird
Rock Springs _
Soldier Creek _
Spencer _
St. Clairs Bottom (of North Caro-
lina) _
858
51
685
161
593
402
70
295
215
65
35
467
1,216
405
184
107
59
204
244
72
271
104
348
599
169
17
30
111
53
740
362
459
205
227
120
62
26
567
264
399
75
240
30
224
320
200
391
103
110
13
$56, 600
0)
3,050
22, 300
4,200
12, 900
14, 700
22, 610
22, 650
0)
8,600
11, 100
13, 950
(0
32, 300
11,400
7,050
0)
(0
11, 900
6,900
2,800
11,000
7,500
14, 550
9,600
7,750
0)
10, 250
0)
20, 900
15, 500
5,512
18, 400
19, 600
0)
3,900
C1)
8,500
0)
o
C)
4,150
11, 900
2,200
3,450
2,100
0)
0)
$7, 096
565
660
4,611
320
804
708
4,120
828
1,498
(0
0)
1,430
(0
3,944
1,122
1,223
646
600
241
967
0)
774
0)
983
773
937
773
772
661
0
247
46
1,200
0)
265
141
110
55
0)
0)
0)
See footnote at end of table
PRIMITIVE BAPTISTS'
221
TABLE 7. — NUMBER AND MEMBEKSHIP OF CHTJECHES, VALUE OF CHURCH
EDIFICES, AND EXPENDITURES, BY ASSOCIATIONS, 1936 — Continued
ASSOCIATION
Total
number
of
churches
Number
of mem-
bers
VALUE OF CHURCH
EDIFICES
EXPENDITURES
Churches
eporting
Amount
Churches
eporting
Amount
Kentucky — Continued.
Union
4
2
2
5
3
1
2
2
2
4
2
1
2
6
11
1
1
9
7
6
2
9
1
4
5
2
2
4
9
3
3
3
4
4
11
7
4
7
1
4
2
6
4
2
7
18
16
1
10
95
173
62
189
90
18
37
26
45
66
18
3
25
314
387
2
16
370
190
155
34
482
35
143
335
87
64
47
525
93
104
98
149
54
433
541
109
245
99
147
34
57
55
19
137
423
770
30
356
2
1
1
4
3
1
2
2
2
2
1
1
C1)
0)
C1)
$3,250
1,000
0)
(1)
8
0)
0)
0)
3
1
3
$23
(0
CO
471
Unassociated
Louisiana:
Bythnia
Louisiana _
South Ouachita
Unassociated
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
5
4
0)
0)
0)
(0
(0
0)
(*)
(I)
383
905
Maine:
Unassociated - . ._
Maryland:
Baltimore _..
Ketocton. _
Salisbury . _ .. . .
Unassociated
Massachusetts:
Unassociated
Michigan:
Mount Pftlem
Mississippi:
Amite - -_
6
8
1
6,600
6,300
(0
Bethany _ -
"RnttaJiatctii6 Cof Alabama)
Fellowship
1
7
5
4
(i)
1,285
508
273
Good Hope _
8
7
6
6,750
4,950
2,900
Hopewell
Little Black
Little Vine (of Alabama)
N"ew TTope
8
1
3
5
1
2
4
9
1
I
2
4
3
9
6
4
6
1
3
2
5
3
2
7
15
13
6,350
0)
2,000
4,950
(')
(0
4,750
21,700
0)
0)
16,500
6,500
7,395
18, 000
9,000
6,800
0)
6,900
<i)
11,200
10,000
0)
11,200
12,700
72,500
6
925
Primitive
Regular Baptist
3
4
1
2
2
8
2
1
2
3
2
6
6
2
5
1
4
2
4
3
310
436
(')
(i)
(13
1,504
0)
w
(%7
CO
480
890
C1)
726
C1)
338
Cl)
746
2,300
TnmHg^ft^
Unassociated - - -
Missouri:
Center Creek
Cuivre-Siloam
Fishing River
Harmony
Little Piney
M!ount Zion
Nodaway -- _,--.
Original Mount Zion
Ozark -
Salem - •
Two Rivers
Yellow Creek
Unassociated -
Nebraska:
Missouri Valley
New Jersey:
Delaware River
New York:
Lexinsrton-Roxbury
Warwick
Unassociated ---
North Carolina:
Abbotts Creek
2
11
11
(0
1,064
2,627
Bear Creek
Black Creek--*
Carolina
Contentnea -
6
12,600
5
456
See footnote at end of table ;
222
GEN'S'TJS' OF UELIG-IOXJS BODIES, 193 ti
TABLE 7.- — NUMBER AND MEMBERSHIP OF CHURCHES, VALUE OF CHURCH
EDIFICES, AND EXPENDITURES, BY ASSOCIATIONS, 1936 — Continued
ASSOCIATION
Total
number
of
churches
Number
of mem-
bers
VALUE OF CKUECH
EDIFICES
Churches
reporting
Amount
EXPENDITURES
Churches
reporting
Amount
North Carolina— Continued.
Fishers River __.
Kehukee
Little River
Lower County Line
Mayo
Mill Branch
Mountain District
Reorganized Silver Creek
Roaring River
Salem .__
Senter _
Seven Mile.
Upper County Line _
Upper Mayo
White Oak____ _._
Zion__
Unassociated
Ohio-
Miami
Muskmgum
Owl Creek _
Sandusky __
Scioto
Tates Creek
Union
Unassociated
Oklahoma:
Center Creek
First Primitive (of Oklahoma).
Panhandle and Oklahoma
Salem
Turkey Creek
Union
Washita_
Western
Unassociated
Pennsylvania*
Delaware River
Juniata__
Unassociated-
South Carolina:
Eastern District (of Tennessee) -
Mill Branch
Prince William.. .._.
Tennessee:
Big Sandy
Buffalo River
Collins River
Cumberland
Eastern District.
Elk River.
Flint River (of Alabama).
Fountain Creek
Friendship (of Georgia) ...
Greenfield..
Hiawassee
Little River
Mississippi River.
Obion
Powells Valley
Predestinarian
Regular Baptist _,
Round Lick _
See footnote at end of table.
551
393
152
75
134
240
346
392
513
53
370
41
180
26
191
157
112
74
71
176
422
169
130
50
72
119
146
36
140
69
192
210
91
1,476
297
31
25
73
421
1,158
7
176
240
685
162
16
372
$11,300
42, 425
20, 700
47,450
2,900
3,400
9,300
G)
3,500
11, 200
5,800
7,300
26, 700
4,000
18, 050
0)
29, 800
19, 550
0)
11, 000
23, 000
C1)
0)
(9
0)
7,900
(0
0)
0)
0)
0)
(0
7,500
0)
2,450
0)
5,300
1,990
CO
12, 500
.6,200
10, 600
9,900
(')
7,000
2,800
18, 500
3,050
"~7,"466'
849
1,305
1,164
490
(0
321
0)
1,322
548
1,637
0)
1,038
0)
311
P)
1,003
0)
237
655
C1)
0)
(0
(0
0)
(0
593
275
(0
446
1,362
(0
0)
0)
2,607
""""497
(0
1,414
(1)
PRIMITIVE BAPTISTS'
223
TABLE 7. — NUMBER AND MEMBERSHIP OF CHURCHES, VALUE OF CHURCH
EDIFICES, AND EXPENDITURES, BY ASSOCIATIONS, 1936 — Continued
ASSOCIATION
Total
number
of
churches
Number
of mem-
bers
VALUE OF CHURCH
EDIFICES
EXPENDITURES
Churches
reporting
Amount
Churches
reporting
Amount
Tennessee— Continued.
Second Creek
3
2
1
5
14
6
I
11
1
2
3
8
4
1
2
3
4
4
1
6
3
2
11
5
3
1
4
7
2
7
26
10
1
8
1
6
9
34
1
3
18
4
2
12
8
5
9
3
19
6
10
7
18
2
3
3
5
1
5
1
126
106
14
306
612
498
36
617
30
103
91
269
143
6
24
211
205
182
33
344
155
33
357
106
119
36
213
293
31
424
1,920
477
13
269
6
143
423
1,773
40
46
697
199
95
479
207
272
290
140
815
228
218
165
673
43
33
45
187
28
63
22
3
2
1
5
8
5
1
5
1
2
3
6
3
1
1
3
1
3
1
5
3
1
8
4
2
1
4
5
2
5
13
10
1
6
1
4
9
25
1
1
12
3
1
10
5
4
9
2
15
3
4
5
15
2
2
1
4
1
5
$1, 300
(0
0)
4,600
11, 350
24,200
C1)
6,500
(0
(0
3,300
3,400
3,500
0
0)
2,500
(0
2,600
W
4,550
8,000
(0
5,750
1,850
(')
(')
3,500
4,700
0)
33, 200
14,700
24, 300
G)
19, 150
0)
4,300
18,800
40,350
G)
(')
20,900
8,500
0)
11,550
3,600
3,450
4,350
21, 300
3,850
6,300
10,700
19, 125
(i)
(')
CO
5,000
0)
9,100
2
2
(0
(0
Sequachie Valley
Stony Creek
Tennessee and Nolachucky . _
3
8
5
1
5
$59
650
1,220
(0
959
West Tennessee .
Unassociated___ . _
Texas:
Bythnia (of Louisiana)
Duffau
East Providence
Enon _ -
2
2
7
1
(')
(0
795
0)
Friendship
Little Flock and Bosque River
Little Hope .
Mount Zion
Neches River_ _ _
2
3
3
3
(0
475
325
322
CVfnl TTarmoTiy
Panhandle and Oklahoma (of
Oklahoma)
Pilot Grove
Predestf n arian (of Tennessee) ,.
Primitive Baptist -
4
1
505
(0
Ral$Tn
Southeast Texas
Southwest Texas
5
2
893
0)
Sulphur Fork _
Unity
Wasketa
1
4
4
1
3
17
S
1
6
(')
521
700
0)
399
876
1,620
0)
898
West Providence _.
West Texas
TJnassociated _
Virginia:
Dan River ..
Eastern District
Ebenezer - - -
Kehuckee
Ketocton - --
Lower County Line
IVIayo
3
2
22
1
38
0)
911
0)
Mountain
New River No. 1
New River No 2
Piedmont
Pigg River
11
3
1
8
4
5
4
1
7
3
6
6
8
2
1
2
4
1
4
4,052
46
0)
433
272
160
96
0)
784
58
400
418
607
8
0)
932
0)
89
St Glair's Bottom
Senter (of North Carolina)
Smith's River
Staunton River
Stony Creek
Three Forks (of Powell River)
Union
Washington - -- - -
Zion
Unassociated - --
West Virginia:
Elkhorn -
Indian Creek
Juniata
Ketocton
Mates Creek
New Liberty
Pocatalico
Tygerts Valley - -
Unassociated
284,748
25,830
.
* Amount included in figures on the line designated "Combinations," to avoid disclosing the statistics
of any individual church.
224 OENSfU'S1 OF RELIGIOUS BODIES, 1936
HISTORY, DOCTRINE, AND ORGANIZATION 1
DENOMINATIONAL HISTORY
With the development of organized church life shown in the formation of be-
nevolent and particularly of missionary societies, of Sunday schools and similar
organizations, during the early part of the nineteenth century, there developed
also considerable opposition to such new ideas. The more independent church
associations were based on the principle that the Scriptures are the sole and
sufficient authority for everything connected with the religious life. The posi-
tion taken was, in brief, that there were no missionary societies in the apostles
days, and therefore there should be none today. Apart from this, however,
there seemed to many to be inherent in these societies a centralization of author-
ity which was not at all in accord with the spirit of the gospel. Sunday schools
also were considered unauthorized of God, as was everything connected with
church life that was not included in the clearly presented statement of the New
Testament writers. These views appeared particularly in some of the Baptist
bodies, and occasioned what became known as the "antimission movement.
Apparently the first definite announcement of this position was made by the
Kehukee Baptist Association of North Carolina, formed in 1765, at its meeting
with the Kehukee Church in Halifax County in 1827, although similar views
were expressed by a Georgia association in 1826. The Kehukee Association
unanimously condemned all "modern, money-based, so-called benevolent socie-
ties " as contrary to the teaching and practice of Christ and His apostles, and,
furthermore, announced that it could no longer fellowship with churches which
indorsed such societies. In 1832 a similar course was adopted by the Country
Line Association, at its session with Deep Creek Church in Alamance (then
Orange) County, N. C., and by a "Convention of the Middle States" at Black
Rock Church, Baltimore County, Md. Other Baptist associations in the North,
South, East, and West, during the next 10 years, took similar action. In 1835
the Chemung Association, including churches in New York and Pennsylvania,
adopted a resolution declaring that as a number of associations with which it
had been in correspondence had "departed from the simplicity of the doctrine
and practice of the gospel of Christ, * * * uniting themselves with the
world and what are falsely called benevolent societies founded upon a money
basis," and preaching a gospel "differing from the gospel of Christ, it would
not continue in fellowship with them, and urged all Baptists who could not
approve the new ideas to come out and be separate from those holding them.
The various Primitive Baptist associations have never organized as a denom-
ination and have no State conventions or general bodies of any kind. For the
purpose of self-interpretation, each association adopted the custom of printing
in its annual minutes a statement of its articles of faith, constitution, and rules of
order. This presentation was examined carefully by every other f association,
and, if it was approved, fellowship was accorded by sending to its meetings
messengers or letters reporting on the general state of the churches. Any asso-
ciation that did not meet with approval was simply dropped from fellowship.
The result was that, while there are certain links binding the different associa-
tions together, they are easily broken, and the lack of any central body or even
of any uniform statement of belief, serves to prevent united action. Another
factor in the situation has been the difficulty of intercommunication in many
parts of the South. As groups of associations developed in North and South
Carolina and Georgia, they drew together, as did those in western Tennessee,
northern Mississippi and Alabama, and Missouri, while those in Texas had little
intercourse with any of the others. Occasional fraternal visits were made through
all of these sections, and a quasi union or fellowship was kept up, but this has
not been sufficient to secure what might be called denominational individuality
or growth. This is apparent in the variety of names, some friendly and some
derisive, which have been applied to them, such as "Primitive," "Old School,
"Regular," "Antimission," and "Hard Shell." In general, the term "Primitive"
lias been the one most widely used and accepted.
DOCTRINE
In matters of doctrine the Primitive Baptists are strongly Calvinistic. Some
of their minutes have 11 articles of faith, some less, some more. They declare
that by Adam's fall or transgression all his posterity became sinners in the sight
i This statement, which Is the same as that published in vol. II of the Report on Eeligious Bodies, 1926,
has heen approved in its present form by Elder O. H. Cayce, of the Primitive Baptists, Thornton, Ark.
PRIMITIVE BAPTISTS' 225
of God; that the corruption of human nature is total; that man cannot, by his
own free will and ability, reinstate himself in the favor of God; that God elected
or chose His people in Christ before the foundation of the world; that sinners
are justified only by the righteousness of Christ imputed to them; that the saints
will all be preserved and will persevere in grace unto heavenly glory, and that
not one of them will be finally lost; that baptism and the Lord's Supper are
ordinances of the gospel in the church to the end of time; that the institutions
of the day (church societies) are the inventions of men, and are not to be fel-
lowshiped; that Christ will come a second time, in person or bodily presence to
the world, and will raise all the dead, judge the human race, send the wicked to
everlasting punishment, and welcome the righteous to everlasting happiness.
They also hold uncompromisingly to the full verbal inspiration of the Old and
New Testament Scriptures.
Some Primitive Baptists maintain, as formulated in the London Baptist Con-
fession of Faith of 1689, that God eternally decreed or predestinated all things, yet
in such a manner that He does not compel anyone to sin, and that He does not
approve or fellowship sin. The great majority of them, however, maintain that,
while God foreknew all things, and while He foreordained to suffer, or not prevent
sin, His active and efficient predestination is limited to the eternal salvation of
all His people, and everything necessary thereunto; and all Primitive Baptists
believe that every sane human being is accountable for all his thoughts, words,
and actions.
Immersion of believers is the only form of baptism which they acknowledge,
and they insist that this is a prerequisite to the Lord's Supper. They hold that
no minister has any right to administer the ordinances unless he has been called
of God, come under the laying on of hands by a presbytery, and. is in fellowship
with the church of which ~he is a member; and that he has no right to permit
any clergyman who has not these qualifications to assist in the administering of
these ordinances. In some sections the Primitive Baptists believe that washing
the saints' feet should be practiced in the church, usually in connection with the
ordinance of the Lord's Supper. Of late years a group of churches in Georgia
have used organs in public worship, but most of the churches are earnestly
opposed to the use of instrumental music of any kind in church, services. Sunday
schools and secret societies are unauthorized. These are claimed not to be in
accordance with the teachings of the Bible.
ORGANIZATION
In polity the Primitive Baptists are congregational in that they believe that
each church should govern itself according to the laws of Christ as found in the
New Testament, and that no minister, association, or convention has any author-
ity. They believe that if, in the view of its sister churches, a church departs in
doctrine or order from the New Testament standard, it should be labored with,
and if it cannot be reclaimed, fellowship should be withdrawn from it. Admission
to the church takes place after careful examination by the pastor and church
officers, and by vote of the church. Ministers are ordained by the laying on of
the hands of pastors and elders called by the church of which the candidate is a
member. No theological training is required. The gifts of the candidate are
first tested by association with pastors in evangelistic work, and he is then
recommended for ordination. There is no opposition to education, the position
being that the Lord is able to call an educated man to preach His gospel when
it is His will to do so, and that it is the duty of the minister to study, and especially
to study the Scriptures, but they hold that lack of literary attainments does not
prevent one whom the Lord has called from being able to preach the gospel.
WORK
Notwithstanding the strong opposition to missionary societies, the Primitive
Baptists are by no means opposed to evangelistic effort, and preachers, both
regular pastors and others who are in a position to do so, travel much and preach
the gospel without charge, going where they feel that the Spirit of God leads
them, and where the way is opened in His providence. The members and friends
whom they freely serve, freely contribute to their support. Although opposed
to Sunday schools, they believe in giving their children religious training and
instruction.
COLORED PRIMITIVE BAPTISTS
STATISTICS
Summary for the "United States, with, urban -rural classification. — A general
summary of the statistics for the Colored Primitive Baptists for the year 1936 is
presented in table 1, which shows also the distribution of these figures between
urban and rural territory.
The membership of this denomination consists of those persons who have been
enrolled in the local churches upon profession of faith and baptism by immersion.
TABLE 1. — SUMMARY OP STATISTICS FOE CHURCHES IN UEBAN AND RURAL
TERRITORY, 1936
ITEM
Total
In urban
territory
In rural
territory
PERCENT OF
TOTAL 1
Urban
Rural
Clmrclies (local organizations) t number
1,009
43, 897
44
13, 318
29,919
660
44 5
1,644
39, 591
2,662
4.0
889
876
$1,643,804
$1, 544, 076
$99, 728
$1,876
98
$68, 285
625
48
44
$76,966
935
$207, 352
$108, 539
$15,003
$18, 906
$13,482
$21, 051
$7, 619
$2, 803
$457
$9, 665
$9, 827
$222
353
**y
5,226
12, 888
300
40.5
600
17, 146
668
3.4
298
291
$969, 210
$914, 826
$54, 384
$3, 331
52
$49, 754
194
35
34
$73,750
334
$117, 835
$60, 261
$8, 987
$8, 170
$9,373
$14f 120
$4,542
$1, 523
$198
$5,342
$5, 319
$353
656
25, 483
39
8,092
17, 031
3fiO
47,5
1,044
22, 445
1,994
4.4
591
585
$674, 594
$629, 250
$45, 344
$1, 153
46
$18, 531
431
13
10
$3,216
601
$89, 517
$48,278
$6, 016
$10, 736
$4,109
$6, 931
$3,077
$1,280
$259
$4,323
$4,508
$149
35.0
41.9
65 0
58.1
members, number _ ...
AvfTHgft "mATTibftrshlp p^r cTiurch
Membership by sex:
Male
39.2
43.1
45.5
60.8
56.9
54.5
Female
Sex not reported
Males per 100 females, . ._ _.. _ ..
Membership by age:
Under 13 years
36 5
43 3
25 1
63.5
56.7
74.9
13 years and over
Age not reported
Percent under 13 years 2 , .
Clmrch edifices, number
33.5
33 2
59.0
59.2
54.5
66 5
66.8
41 0
40 8
45 5
Value — number reporting _._
Amount reported
Constructed prior to 1936-
Constructed, wholly or in part, in 1936.
Average value per church
Debt — number reporting __
Amount reported
72.9
31 0
27.1
69.0
Number reporting "no debt"
Parsonages, number
Value — number reporting.,.. ^ „„„ . __ ~
Amount reported
95.8
35.7
56.8
55 5
59.9
43.2
69.5
67.1
59.6
54.3
43.3
55.3
54.1
4.2
64.3
43.2
44.5
40.1
56.8
30.5
32.9
40.4
45 7
56.7
44.7
45.9
Expenditures :
Churches r^port-i'Tig, number
Amount reported ______
Pastors* salaries
All other salaries -_ — - ._ - . .
Repairs and improvements
Payment on church debt, excluding in-
terest
All other current expenses, including in-
terest.
Local relief and charity, Eed Cross, etc___
Home missions __ .
Foreign missions
To general headquarters for distribution. _
All other purposes
Average expenditure per church __
i Percent not shown where base is less than 100.
* Based on membership with age classification reported.
226
COLORED PRIMITIVE BAPTISTS
227
TABLE 3. — SUMMARY OP STATISTICS FOR CHURCHES IN URBAN AND RURAL
TERRITORY, 1936 — Continued
ITEM
Total
In urban
territory
In rural
territory
PEECENT OF
TOTAL *
Urban
Rural
Sunday schools :
Churches reporting, number
422
2,760
13, 572
13
56
460
6
29
201
1
8
32
177
1,238
6,488
8
40
335
2
8
20
245
1,522
7,084
5
16
125
4
21
181
1
8
32
41.9
44.9
47.8
58.1
55.1
52 2
Officers and teachers
Scholars . „
Summer vacation Bible schools :
Churches reporting, number
Officers and teachers..
Scholars
72 8
27 2
Weekday religious schools :
Churches reporting, number _
Officers and teachers.
Scholars
10 0
90.0
Parochial schools :
Churches reporting, number
Officers and teachers
Scholars
i Percent not shown where base is less than 100.
Comparative data, 1906-36. — Table 2 presents, in convenient form for compari-
son, a summary of the available statistics of the Colored Primitive Baptists for
the cjens<us years 1936, 1926, 1916, and 1906.
TABLE 2. — COMPARATIVE STJMMABY, 1906 TO 1936
ITEM
1936
1926
1916
1906
Churches (local organizations), number
1,009
925
336
787
Increase : over preceding census:
"Miimhpr
84
589
—451
Percent . . -
9.1
175 3
— 57.3
MemfapTS, Timber
43, 897
43, 978
15, 144
35, 076
Increase l over preceding census:
Miimhw
81
28, 834
—19, 932
Percent
—0 2
190.4
-56.8
Av^r^ge TTi6rnbfiT*'^iip pp-r nhxirch
44
48
45
45
Glmrch edifices, number
889
91
236
501
Value — number reporting
876
87
164
501
Amount rftprtrtod
$1, 643, 804
$171, 518
$154, 690
$296, 539
Average value per church
$1, 876
$1, 971
$943
$592
Debt — number reporting
98
15
46
34
Amount reported
$68,285
$9, 793
$8,507
$6, 968
Parsonages, number
48
VahiQ — -number reporting
44
12
21
Amount reported _
$76, 966
$13, 940
$10,095
Expenditures :
Churches reporting nuTnb$T"
935
111
170
A mount reported
$207, 352
$39, 419
$22, 881
Pastors' salaries
$108, 539
All other salaries
$15, 003
Tlepairs and iTnprovfiTr?eTi^s
$18, 906
[• $28, 874
$20,000
Payment on church debt, excluding interest
All other current expenses, including interest-
Local relief and charity, Red Cross, etc
$13, 482
$21, 051
$7, 619
JTom.e missions
$2,803
Foreign missions
$457
\ $12, 052
$2,881
To general headquarters for distribution
$9, 665
All other purposes
$9, 827
Not classified
$493
Average expenditure per church
$222
$355
$135
Sunday schools ;
C hurches reporting, number
422
24
87
166
Officers and teachers
2,760
179
406
911
Scholars
13, 572
2,278
3,201
6,224
A minus sign (— ) denotes decrease.
275318 — 41 16
228
CENSUS OF RELIGIOUS BODIES, 1930
State tables. — Tables 3, 4, 5, and 6 present the statistics for the Colored Primi-
tive Baptists by States. Table 3 gives for each State for 1936 the number and
membership of the churches classified according to their location in urban or rural
territory, membership classified by sex> and data for Sunday schools. Table 4
gives for selected States the number and membership of the churches for the four
census years 1906 to 1936, together with the membership for 1936 classified as
"under 13 years of age" and "13 years of age and over." Table 5 shows the
value of churches and parsonages and the amount of debt on church edifices
for 1936. Table 6 presents, for 1936, the church expenditures, showing separately
current expenses, improvements, benevolences, etc. In order to avoid disclosing
the financial statistics of any individual church, separate presentation in tables
5 and 6 is limited to those States in which three or more churches reported value
and expenditures.
TABLE 3. — NTJMBEB AND MEMBERSHIP OP CHTJKCHES IN URBAN AND RURAL
TEEEITOBY, MEMBERSHIP BY SEX, AND SUNDAY SCHOOLS, BY STATES, 1936
GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION
AND STATE
NUMBER OF
CHURCHES
NUMBER OF
MEMBERS
MEMBERSHIP BY
SEX
SUNDAY
SCHOOLS
I
1
6
?
&
*3
"o
EH
a
1
P
g
3
•3
S
r2
5
<o
»-.
!t
o
CQ
§„
&!
1
44.5
Churches re-
porting
Officers and
teachers
g
•i
-E3
o
03
United States
NEW ENGLAND:
ConnBcticut
1,009
853
656
43, 897
18,414
34
126
157
765
269
53
188
110
113
30
16
70
12
1,762
T<J66
6,043
458
2,710
2,091
94
148
10
66
1,429
25,483
13, SIS
29, 919
660
422
2,780
13, 572
I
3
6
19
12
2
1
3
6
18
12
2
34
126
157
798
298
53
188
110
144
71
15
10
1,336
62
3,649
115
4, 385
9,870
474
4*649
12, 079
674
491
175
258
3,676
9
46
58
343
100
25
80
99
455
198
MIDDLE ATLANTIC:
New York
1
4
12
5
4
IS
89
27
70
77
405
82
New Jersey
Pennsylvania
1
1
33
29
"""53
75.4
50.5
EAiT NOKTH CENTRAL:
Ohio
Indians
Illinois
8
8
39
30
15
18
9
3
412
22
952
52
1,116
2,967
140
1,266
3,994
221
156
44
91
1,215
114
80
28
53
6
7
905
40
2,613
63
3,239
6,903
303
3,164
7,997
453
335
131
167
2,461
35
34.2
2
10
42
Jvtichi£C9.n
3
WESTNORTH CENTRAL-
Missouri
5
7
I
^ 3
4
2
3
1
31
41
15
101
1
1
11
8
65
18
Kansas
SOUTH ATLANTIC:
IMCaryland.
District of Columbia
Virginia
1
72
4
119
2
1
4
1
38
68
3
81
2
118
82
1
67
138
24
17
4
7
36
1,266
50
1,887
115
2,719
3,827
16
1,939
9,988
580
343
165
192
2,247
19
45.5
7
53
278
West Virginia
North Carolina
South Carolina
84
36 4
18
2
18
139
4
35
116
6
2
.
46
145
10
98
859
28
240
780
26
10
__
328
774
55
482
4,382
111
1,343
3,779
133
57
56
1,363
Georgia. __
172
150
9
121
169
29
25
5
9
54
54
68
8
54
31
5
8
1
2
18
30
31
219
88
34.5
43.0
46.2
40 0
49.9
48 8
48.6
33.6
54.5
49.4
Florida .._
EAST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Kentucky _
Tennessee
Alabama.
Mississippi „
WEST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Arkansas
Louisiana
Oklahoma ...
Texas
i Ratio not shown where number of females la less than 100
COLORED PRIMITIVE BAPTISTS 229
TABLE
[Separate presentation is limited to States having 3 or more churches in either 1936, 1926, 1916, or 1906]
NUMBER AND MEMBEBSHIP OF CHURCHES, 1906 TO 1936, AND MEM-
BERSHIP BY AGE IN 1936, BY STATES
GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION AND
STATE
NUMBER OF
CHURCHES
NUMBER OF MEMBERS
MEMBERSHIP BY AGE, 1936
1936
1036
1916
1906
1936
1926
1916
1906
Un-
der 13
years
13
years
and
over
Age
not re-
ported
Per-
cent
under
13 1
United States
1,009
925
336
787
43, 897
126
43,978
15, 144
35, 078
1,644
39, 591
2,662
4 0
MIDDLE ATLANTIC:
New York
3
45
81
157
35.7
New Jersey
6
157
Pennsylvania
19
13
8
8
7
5
2
798
298
188
368
126
104
, 45
3
1
749
297
170
109
144
46
.4
.3
EAST NORTH CENTRAL:
Ohio
Illinois
18
Michigan
3
110
1
.9
WEST NORTH CENTRAL:
Missouri _ -
5
144
Kansas
7
72
4
119
172
150
9
121
169
29
25
5
9
54
27
10
30
5
102
199
126
14
85
188
37
25
19
3
61
6
71
1,336
62
3,649
4,385
9,870
474
4,649
12, 079
674
491
175
258
3,676
227
114
436
119
2,626
9,251
7,086
559
2,485
15, 177
1,443
1,441
994
44
1,590
119
71
SOUTH ATLANTIC:
Virginia
31
"~~32
106
32
10
21
38
13
31
9
.....
64
3
62
146
128
5
93
186
27
19
4
5
43
930
i«
10
1,135
62
191
.9
West Virginia
North Carolina
1,000
2,924
3,510
318
811
3,416
184
519
138
2,215
4,531
5,350
228
3,268
14,829
554
840
201
100
1,280
53
85
515
1
72
656
22
10
5
8
146
11
3,228
3,699
9,201
473
4,452
10, 878
564
469
140
165
3,131
216
368
601
154
1.6
2.2
5.3
.2
1.6
5.7
3.8
2.1
3.4
4.6
4.5
4.8
Georgia
Florida
EAST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Kentucky
Tennessee
125
545
88
12
30
85
399
Alabama
Mississippi
WEST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Arkansas
Louisiana
Oklahoma
Texas
1,290
Other States
* Based on membership with age classification reported.
* Includes: Connecticut, 1; Indiana, 2; Maryland, 1; District of Columbia, I; and South Carolina, 2.
230
GEN'SOJS OF RELIGIOUS BODIES, 1936
TABLE 5. — VALUE OP CHURCHES AND PARSONAGES AND AMOUNT or CHURCH
DEBT BY STATES, 1936
[Separate presentation is limited to States having 3 01 more churches reporting value of edifices]
GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION
AND STATE
Total
number
of
churches
Num-
ber of
church
edifices
VALUE OF CHUECH
EDIFICES
DEBT ON CHURCH
EDIFICES
VALUE OF PAR-
SONAGES
Churches
reporting
Amount
Churches
reporting
Amount
Churches
reporting
Amount
United States
1,009
889
876
$1,643,804
98
$68, 285
4,480
14,800
5,000
1,000
1,100
44
$76, 966
MIDDLE ATLANTIC:
New Jersey
6
19
13
8
5
7
72
4
119
172
150
9
121
169
29
25
5
9
54
13
4
11
6
5
3
3
64
4
105
165
144
8
101
154
27
21
4
8
44
8
4
9
5
5
3
3
62
3
103
164
144
8
100
153
27
21
4
8
43
27
14,800
78, 350
9,027
8,500
11,700
1,800
55,994
7,400
113, 617
157, 271
497,300
10, 200
213,281
338, 605
23,854
13, 145
5,800
7,100
65,824
10, 236
4
3
2
1
2
1
4
0)
15, 500
Pennsylvania __.
EAST NORTH CENTRAL*
Ohio
Illinois— - -
1
1
1
0)
0)
C1)
WEST NORTH CENTRAL-
Missouri
Kansas
SOUTH ATLANTIC:
Virginia
5
614
West Virginia
North Carolina
7
7
18
2
11
20
3
2
2,598
2,425
10, 464
1,400
5,390
11, 994
174
725
4
1,700
Georgia
Florida
25
46,850
EAST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Kentucky , _
Tennessee
Alabama
5
4,564
Mississippi
WEST SOUTH CENTEAL:
Arkansas
Louisiana
Oklahoma
Texas —
11
6,121
1
1
C1)
8,352
Other States
1 Amount included in figures for "Other States," to avoid disclosing the statistics of any individual church.
2 Includes: Connecticut, 1; Indiana, 2; Michigan, 1; Maryland, 1; and South Carolina, 2.
COLORED PRIMITIVE BAPTISTS
231
TABLE 6. — CHTTKCH EXPENDITURES BY STATES, 1936
[Separate presentation is limited to States having 3 or more churches reporting]
GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION AND
STATE
Total
number
of
churches
EXPENDITURES
Churches
reporting
Total
amount
Pastors'
salaries
All other
salaries
Repairs
and im-
provements
United States
1,009
935
S207, 352
$108, 539
SI 5, 003
$18, 908
MIDDLE ATLANTIC-
New York
3
6
19
13
8
3
5
7
72
119
172
150
9
121
169
29
25
5
9
54
11
3
5
19
13
8
3
4
7
64
100
149
148
9
115
163
29
21
4
8
54
19
1,037
2,708
8,617
4,075
2,638
815
802
144
5,098
14, 702
18,083
58,492
2,497
25,084
41, 561
2,877
1,530
806
976
13, 179
1,631
603
1,050
2,712
1,310
827
159
120
87
2,232
5,847
11, 515
34,546
966
13, 731
21, 467
1,712
887
515
712
6,831
710
New Jersey
273
407
288
119
361
187
51
465
Pennsylvania __
EAST NOETH CENTRAL:
Ohio . .
Illinois
150
90
50
16
770
3,109
2,105
3,594
121
1,094
5,206
294
117
30
53
1,471
120
Michigan _ _ _ _
WEST NORTH CENTRAL:
Missouri
Kansas _
SOUTH ATLANTIC:
Virginia
358
867
647
4,626
232
2,000
3,162
207
171
50
North Carolina
Georgia
Florida
EAST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Kentucky „
Tennessee
Alabama ,
Mississippi
WEST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Arkansas
Louisiana
Oklahoma
Texas
819
229
Other States
1 Includes: Connecticut, 1; Indiana, 2; Maryland, 1; District of Columbia, 1; West Virginia, 2; and
South Carolina, 2.
232
CEOSPSfUS1 O'F KEOGIOUS BODIES, 1936
TABLE 6. — CHURCH EXPENDITUBES BY STATES, 1936 — Continued
[Separate presentation is limited to States having 3 or more churches reporting]
EXPEND!
TUEES— CO
ntmued
GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION AND
STATE
Payment
on church
debt,
excluding
interest
Other
current
expenses,
including
interest
Local re-
lief and
charity
Home
missions
Foreign
missions
To gen-
eral head-
quarters
All other
purposes
United States
S13 482
$21 051
S7, 619
$2, 803
$457
$9, 665
$9, 827
MIDDLE ATLANTIC:
Now York
260
113
13
48
New Jersey
766
327
100
5
87
49
T>ennsylv8''niflf
2,193
2,392
107
35
91
215
EAST NORTH CENTRAL:
Ohio
742
1 377
45
59
254
Illinois _ _ - - -- -
200
1,065
45
11
41
180
Michigan
180
25
WEST NORTH CENTRAL:
Missouri
290
70
7
38
40
Kansas
15
26
SOUTH ATLANTIC:
Virginia
642
415
238
189
101
153
North Carolina - . , -
1.106
1,694
373
341
151
537
677
Georgia
282
1,084
205
55
1,068
1,122
Florida
1,912
2,978
3,126
910
76
4,591
2,133
EAST SOUTH CENTEAL:
Kentucky
300
632
79
31
136
Tennessee .- -- -
1,204
3,587
972
100
731
1,665
AlafaftiTioa - ,-,...
2.393
3,300
1,581
598
144
1,748
1,962
Mississippi
115
367
65
14
1
45
57
WEST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Arkansas
25
231
31
14
5
49
Louisiana
94
52
35
30
Oklahoma
100
50
25
36
Texas - _
1,032
821
369
434
85
363
954
Other States
292
93
30
86
71
COLORED PRIMITIVE BAPTISTS 233
HISTORY, DOCTRINE, AND ORGANIZATION1
DENOMINATIONAL HISTORY
The history of the Colored Primitive Baptists is the same as that of the white
Primitive Baptists up to the time of the Civil War. During slave times the
colored Primitive Baptists had full membership in the white churches, although
seats were arranged for them in a separate part of the house. Before the war
some of the colored members of the churches were engaged in the work of the
ministry, many of them being considered very able defenders and exponents of
the doctrine of the Bible. Such men were sometimes bought from their owners
and set free to go out and preach where they felt it was the Lord's will for them
to go.
After the Negroes were freed, many of them desiring to be set apart into
churches of their own, the white Primitive Baptists granted them letters certify-
ing that they were in full fellowship and good standing; white preachers organized
them into separate churches, ordained their preachers and deacons, and set
them up in proper order, throughout the South; and thus, gradually, the colored
Primitive Baptists became a separate denomination.
DOCTRINE AND ORGANIZATION
The doctrinal principles and the polity of the Colored Primitive Baptists are
precisely the same as those of the white Primitive Baptists. Each local church
is an independent body and has control of its own affairs, receiving and dis-
ciplining its own members; there is no appeal to a higher court.
About the year 1900 a "progressive" move was introduced among the Colored
Primitive Baptists, and a large number of them began the organization of aid
societies, conventions, and Sunday schools, some of these organizations being
based on the payment of money — things which the Primitive Baptists have not
engaged in and which they have always protested against.
* No revision of history, doctrine, or organization was furnished by this body for 1936, hence this state-
ment is the same as that published in Eeligious Bodies, vol. II, 1926. No data are available for "Work"
in 1936.
TWO-SEED-IN-THE-SPIRIT PREDESTINARIAN BAPTISTS
STATISTICS
Summary for the United States, with urban-rural classification. — A general
summary of the statistics for the Two-Seed-in-the-Spirit Predestinarian Baptists
for the year 1936 is presented in table 1, which shows also the distribution of
these figures between urban and rural territory.
The membership of this denomination consists of those persons who have been
admitted to the local churches upon profession of faith and baptism by immersion.
TABLE 1. — SUMMAKY OF STATISTICS FOR CHURCHES IN URBAN AND RURAL
TERRITORY, 1936
ITEM
Total
In urban
territory
In rural
territory
PERCENT OF
TOTAL 1
Urban
Rural
Clmrclies (local organizations), number . .
16
201
13
66
107
28
61.7
2
65
33
28
37
14
136
10
38
70
28
Me inters, number
323
67.7
Average membership per church-
Membership by sex:
Male
Female
34.6
65.4
Sex not reported.
Males per 100 females a
Membership by age:
Under 13 years,. .
13 years and over
173
28
13
13
$6,600
$5,800
$800
$508
5
10
$660
$260
$120
$208
$10
$62
$66
65
108
28
11
11
$5,300
$4,500
$800
$482
4
9
$500
$160
$120
$158
37.6
62.4
Age not reported - _
Church edifices, number ...
2
2
$1, 300
$1,300
Value — number reporting
Amount reported
19.7
22.4
80.3
77.6
100.0
Constructed prior to 1936 —
Constructed, wholly or in part, in 1936.
Average value per church
$650
1
$160
$100
Number reporting "no debt"
Expenditures:
ChtiT"chps reporting, TiurnhBr
AiTiOTiiit reported
24.2
38.5
75.8
61.5
100.0
76.0
Repairs and improvements
Payment on church debt, excluding inter-
est
All other current expenses, including in-
terest .
$50
$10
24.0
Local relief and charity, Eed Cross, etc
All other purposes
$62
$56
Average expenditure per church _ >
$160
1 Percent not shown where base is less than 100.
* Ratio not shown where number of females is less than 100.
Comparative data, 1906-36. — Table 2 presents, in convenient form for com-
parison, a summary of the available statistics of the Two-Seed-in-the-Spirit
Predestinarian Baptists for the census years 1936, 1926, 1916, and 1906.
234
TWO-SEED'-IN-THE-'SPXRIT 'PKEDESTXJSTATIIAN BAPTISTS
235
TABLE 2. — COMPABATIVB SUMMARY, 1906 TO 1936
ITEM
1936
19S6
1916
1906
Churches (local organizations), number
16
27
48
55
Increase l over preceding census:
Number
— 11
—21
7
Percent2 __. ._ _.
Members, number
201
304
679
781
Increase l over preceding census:
Number
—103
—375
—102
Percent
—33 9
—55 2
—13 1
Average membership per church
13
11
14
14
Church edifices, number. _ .
13
24
37
38
Value — number reporting. .
13
24
35
32
Amount reported.- _
S6 600
$19 350
$23 950
$21, 500
Average value per church
$508
$806
$684
$672
Expenditures :
C hurches reporting, number
10
20
Amount reported
$660
$473
$170
Repairs and improvements
$^60
1
Payment on church debt, excluding interest _ .
$120
> $288
$170
All other current expenses, including interest
Local relief and charity, Red Cross, etc
208
$10
} $S5
Not classified _ _ .
$62
$100
Average expenditure per church __-
$66
$24
$24
* A minus sign (— ) denotes decrease.
2 Percent not shown where base is less than 100.
State tables. — Tables 3, 4, and 5 present the statistics for the Two-Seed-in-
the-Spirit Predestinarian Baptists by States, Table 3 gives for each State for
1936 the number and membership of the churches classified according to their
location in urban or rural territory and the membership classified by sex. Table 4
gives the number and membership of the churches for the four census years 1906
to 1936, together with the membership for 1936 classified as "13 years of age
and over/' so far as reported. Table 5 shows, for 1936, the value of church
edifices and the church expenditures, showing separately current expenses,
improvements, benevolences, etc.
Ecclesiastical divisions. — Table 6 presents, for each association of the Two-
Seed-in-the-Spirit Predestinarian Baptists, the more important statistical data
for 1936 shown by States in the preceding tables, including number of churches,
membership, value of church edifices, and expenditures.
TABLE 3. — NUMBER AND MEMBERSHIP OF CHURCHES IN URBAN AND RURAL
TERRITORY, AND MEMBERSHIP BY SEX, BY STATES, 1936
NTJ
CI
MBER
ITJRCHE
OF
S
ND
M
MBER
EMBER
OF
S
MEK
[BERSB
IP BY
SEX
GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION
&
0 0
AND STATE
-w1"0
3
•S
1
3
JQ
13
"S
a
Xft
«
EH
t>
tf
EM
t>
PS
^
*
CO
^l«
United States
16
2
14
201
85
136
66
107
28
61.7
EAST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Kentucky .
6
6
46
46
13
24
9
Tennessee
9
1
8
98
8
90
28
51
19
1
1
57
57
25
32
i Ratio not shown where number of females is less tban 100.
236
OF RELIGIOUS BODIES, 1936
TABLE 4. — NUMBER AND MEMBEESHIP OF CHURCHES, 1906 TO 1936, AND MEM-
BERSHIP BY AGE IN- 1936, BY STATES
STATE
NUMBER OP CHUKCHES
NUMBER OP MEMBEES
MEMBEESHIP BY
AGE, 1936
1936
1936
1916
1906
1936
1926
1916
1906
13 years
and
over
Age not
re-
ported
United States
16
27
48
55
201
304
679
781
173
28
Indiana
4
3
4
58
68
41
Illinois
Missouri
1
4
3
6
19
3
2
3
1
5
3
9
19
2
10
2
12
34
19
101
252
51
32
52
14
44
28
144
279
32
175
24
Georgia
1
2
9
13
2
3
6
90
145
60
Florida
Kentucky
6
9
1
46
98
57
37
79
57
9
19
Tennessee
AJabfVT1 a -. v
Arkansas
Texas . - .._
TABLE 5. — VALUE OP CHURCHES AND CHURCH EXPENDITURES BY STATES, 1936
§3
VALUE OF
H
«
CHURCH
EXPENDITUBES
y
43
EDIFICES
0
O
o
rf w
irS «
~ bO
STATE
8
'o §5
ft
ft
rt
S
gg
°i.2
1-S.S
4gjSH
&
o
W>
y. M
o
s
4J.'an"!+a
*•• of bJt)
"3'C
p'g.
rt
,0
jl'H
q
^"•g
1
.§ ^
0"^ §
S 3.9-g
r^"!
r€3 O
18
a
i P.
o
3 P.
*a
«5 2
P.O.
S-§
§ a Js |
03 T3
o
£
£
O
4
6
§
S.H
« - «>-9
PH
o
3s
^
United States
16
13
13
$6, 600
10
$660
$260
$120
$208
$10
$62
Kentucky
6
3
3
900
4
164
122
42
Tennessee..
9
1
9
1
5,700
6
496
260
120
86
10
20
Alabama -- .-
i Amount for Alabama combined with figures for Tennessee, to avoid disclosing the statistics of any
individual church.
TABLE 6. — NUMBER AND MEMBERSHIP OP CHURCHES, VALUE OF CHURCH
EDIFICES, AND EXPENDITURES, BY ASSOCIATIONS, 1936
ASSOCIATION
Total
number
of
churches
Number
of
members
VALUE OP CHUECH
EDIFICES
EXPENDITURES
Churches
reporting
Amount
Churches
reporting
Amount
Total
16
_
6
3
201
13
$6, 600
10
$660
Caney Fork __ ._
79
46
76
7
3
3
3, 500
900
2,200
3
4
3
316
164
180
Drakes Creek ,.
Richland Creek-
TWO-SEEiD-IN'-THE-SPlRIT 'PEIEDESTHSTA'RIAN BAPTISTS 237
HISTORY, DOCTRINE, AND ORGANIZATION 1
DENOMINATIONAL HISTORY
The Two-Seed-in-the-Spirit Predestinarian Baptists arose, as a distinct body
in America, in the second half of the eighteenth century, by a protest of the more
rigid against what some considered a general laxity of doctrine and looseness of
church discipline consequent upon the prevalence of Arminian doctrines as set
forth by Methodism. Its great leader was Elder Daniel Parker, a native of
Virginia, who was ordained in Tennessee in 1806 and labored in that State and
in Illinois and Texas.
This doctrine was not allowed to be taught during the dark ages. There were
a few men who contended for it; one leader by the name of Donatist who lived
250 years after Christ was here on earth in visible form; and later Peter Waldo,
the founder of the Waldenses, of medieval times. The theory of the Two-Seed
as a principle of doctrine has existed since apostolic times and farther back. The
first fountain head that broke out was back in the Garden of Eden when God
said: "I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and
her seed; it shall bruise thy head and thou shalt bruise his heel." Gen. 3: 15.
After the Reformation the leaders of this doctrine had more liberty and freedom
to preach and teach the doctrine of Two-Seed.
The denomination at present does not emphasize the extreme Calvinistic
doctrines which they stressed in its early history, when these Baptists formed
scattered churches rather than an organized denomination. They differed from
the Primitive Baptists chiefly in the degree to which they carried their theological
opinions and ecclesiastical principles and were frequently called by the same
names, "Primitive," "Old School," and "Hard Shell"; the special feature of
their belief was gradually recognized, however, and they became popularly known
as the "Two-Seed Baptists." As a result of this general similarity, the distinction
between them and the Primitive Baptists has not always been clearly drawn and
this fact probably accounts to some extent for their decreasing numbers at suc-
cessive censuses.
As distinguished from the Primitive Baptists, the Two-Seed Baptists believe
in the resurrection of the Body of Christ, which is the Church, and that the two
seed are in the spirit and not in the flesh. They emphasize the doctrine of salva-
tion by grace. They believe that God's people are a spiritual generation and
they did exist in Christ before the world was: Eph. 1: 4, "According as he hath
chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy with-
out blame before him in love": Eph. 1 : 7, "In whom we have redemption through
his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace." Again
we find in II Tim. 1 : 9-10, "Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling,
not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which
was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, but is now made manifest
by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath
brought life and immortality to light through the gospel": Prov. 8: 22-25, "The
Lord possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old. I was
set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was. When there
were no depths, I was brought forth: when there were no fountains abounding
with water. Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought
forth." Therefore we emphasize the doctrine of salvation by grace and not by
works: Eph. 2: 8-9, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of
yourselves: it is the gift of God. Not of works, lest any man should boast."
We believe that the ordinances such as communion and foot washing are taught
in the Bible and are to be observed in the visible church. We do not believe
that the work of a paid ministry is necessary to save sinners, as Christ came to
save sinners and He said He finished His work.
DOCTRINE
The phrase "Two-Seed" indicates one seed of good and one of evil, both of
them spiritual and not of the flesh, the good seed emanating from God, and the
evil seed from the devil; the earthly generation of mankind is the field in which
* This statement, which differs somewhat from that published in vol. II of the Report on Religious Bodies,
1926, has been revised by Elder B. E. Little, McMinnville, Tenn., and approved by him in its present form .
238 CENS'lTR' OF RELIGIOUS BODIES, 1936
both are manifested, the field, however, being no part of either. The field has
no power of its own to resist, but must and does develop or manifest what is sown
in it, as shown in the parable of the wheat and the tares. Neither seed can change
its character, but must reproduce after its kind. We do not divide the Adamic
race, nor can we change the decrees of God; but as He declared the origin and the
destiny of the parent or progenitor in the beginning, we claim that, as He cannot
change, neither does He change either the origin or destiny of any one of His
generation. This is manifested through the visible generations of Adam. Thus,
it is the crop which is gathered and not the field, the atonement being for the
redemption of the good seed, which are the children of God. Divine justice being
satisfied, then wisdom is justified of all her children which are the good seed;
the children of God return to Him in heaven and the children of the devil are
returned back to him in the lower regions of eternity.
ORGANIZATION AND WORK
In their church government the Two-Seed Baptists are thoroughly independent,
each church controlling its own affairs. Associations are formed, but for spiritual
fellowship rather than for church management. What are ordinarily known as
church activities do not exist among them, although they believe in good works,
but not as the world looks at good works. Individuals may contribute to benev-
olences as they see fit, but organized benevolence does not exist.
INDEPENDENT BAPTIST CHURCH OF AMERICA
STATISTICS
Summary for the United States, with urban-rural classification. — A general
summary of the statistics for the Independent Baptist Church of America for
the year 1936 is presented in table 1, which shows also the distribution of these
figures between urban and rural territory.
The membership of this denomination includes persons who have been admit-
ted to the local churches upon profession of faith and baptism by immersion.
TABLE 1. — SUMMARY OF STATISTICS FOR CHURCHES IN URBAN AND RURAL
TERRITORY, 1936
ITEM
Total
In urban
territory
In rural
territory
PEBCENT OF
TOTAL*
Urban
Rural
Clmrclies (local organizations), number
8
129
16
50
79
1
42
42
15
27
7
87
12
35
52
Members, number
32.6
67.4
Average membership per church
Membership by sex:
Male
Female __
Males per 100 females 2
Membership by age:
Under 13 years _
13 years and over
101
28
4
4
$9, 300
$9, 300
$2, 325
$250
3
7
$1, 189
$149
$100
$146
$60
$216
$475
$43
$170
3
6
27
42
59
28
3
3
$3, 300
$3,300
$1, 100
1
$250
2
6
$715
41.6
58 4
Age not reported
ChTircli ecHfi^ps, TVTmhar
1
1
$6,000
$6,000
$6,000
y^]^p — pnTnbftr rApnrtmg
ATKTtOTiTlt- ^ported
64.5
64.5
35.5
35 5
Constructed prior to 1936
Average value per church
"O^bf, — ruimhfif reporting
Amount reported
100.0
Number reporting "no debt"
1
1
$474
$149
$100
$121
$50
$16
$29
$9
$474
Expenditures :
fihurches r6port7iig, "nnrnhfir
Amount reported . _-.,.«
39.9
100.0
100.0
82.9
60.1
Salaries, other than pastors'
Repairs and improvements
All other current expenses, including in-
terest
$25
$10
$200
$446
$34
$119
3
6
27
17.1
Local relief and charity, Bed Cross, etc
Home missions
7 4
6.1
92.6
93.9
Foreign missions
All other purposes
Average expenditure per church
Sunday schools :
Churches reporting number
Officers and teachers
Scholars
1 Percent not shown where base is less than 100.
2 Ratio not shown where number of females is less than 100.
Comparative data, 1936 and 1926. — Table 2 presents, in convenient form for
comparison, a summary of the available statistics of the Independent Baptist
Church of America for the census years 1936 and 1926.
239
240 CENSUS OF REHLIOIOUS BODIES, 1936
TABLE 2. — COMPARATIVE SUMMAET, 1936 AND 1926
ITEM
1936
1926
ITEM
1936
1926
Church.es (local organizations),
number .
8
13
Expenditures :
Churches reporting, number..
7
10
IncreEse * over preceding cen-
Amount reported
$1, 189
$2, 499
sus:
Nximfaflt*
—5
Salaries, other than pas-
tors' -. __
$149
Percent 2
Repairs and improve-
merits
$100
Members, number
129
222
All other current ex-
$779
Increase i over preceding cen-
sus:
penses, including in-
terest-
$146
Number
—93
Local relief and charity,
Percent
—41 9
Red Cross, etc_
$60
Average membership per
Home missions
$216
$1, 720
church
16
17
Foreign missions
$475
All other purposes _
$43
Church edifices, number
4
6
Average expenditure per
Value — number reporting
4
6
church
$170
$250
Amount reported
$9, 300
$12, 000
Average value per church.
Debt — number reporting
$2, 325
1
$2,000
1
Sunday schools :
Churches reporting, number..
3
6
A in o wit reported
$250
$425
Officers and teachers
6
18
Scholars
27
146
1 A minus sign (— ) denotes decrease.
3 Percent not shown where base is less than 100.
State tables. — Tables 3, 4, 5, and 6 present statistics the for the Independent
Baptist Church of America by States. Table 3 gives for each State for 1936 the
number and membership of the churches classified according to their location in
urban or rural territory, membership classified by sex, and data for Sunday
schools. Table 4 gives the number and membership of the churches for the census
years 1936 and 1926, together with the membership for 1936 classified as "13
years of age and over," so far as reported. Table 5 shows the value of church
edifices and the amount of debt on such property for 1936. Table 6 presents, for
1936, the church expenditures, showing separately current expenses, improvements,
benevolences, etc. In order to avoid disclosing the financial statistics of any
individual church, separate presentation in tables 5 and 6 is limited to the State
of Minnesota, the only State in which so many as three churches reported value
and expenditures.
TABLE 3. — NUMBER AND MEMBEESHIP OF CHURCHES IN URBAN AND RURAL
TERRITORY, MEMBERSHIP BY SEX, AND SUNDAY SCHOOLS, BY STATES, 1936
NUMBER OF
CHURCHES
NUMBER OF
MEMBERS
MEMBER-
SHIP BY SEX
SUNDAY SCHOOLS
GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION AND
*»
"S*
STATE
Q "^
£
3
a
M
£
3
o
I
1
•3
1
'o M
,CJ
O CD
CO
1
EH
p
rt
£
tf
^
(^
O
O
00
United States
8
i
7
129
42
87
50
79
3
6
27
EAST NORTH CENTRAL:
~
Wisconsin
1
1
34
34
21
13
1
2
6
WEST NORTH CENTRAL:
Minnesota ..
5
i
4
82
42
40
25
57
2
4
21
Iowa
1
1
11
11
3
g
PACIFIC;
Washington
1
1
2
2
1
1
INDEPENDENT BAPTIST CHURCH OF AMERICA
241
TABLE 4=. — NUMBER AND MEMBERSHIP OF CHUBCHES, 1936 AND 1926, AND
MEMBERSHIP BY AGE IN 1936, BY STATES
[Separate presentation is limited to States having 3 or more churches in either 1936 or 1926]
STATE
NUMBEB OF
CHURCHES
NUMBER OF
MEMBEBS
MEMBERSHIP BY AGE,
1936
1936
1926
1936
1936
13 years
and over
Age not
reported
United States ..
8
13
129
222
101
28
Minnesota
5
13
7
6
82
47
114
108
67
34
15
13
Other States. _ .
* Includes: Wisconsin, 1; Iowa, 1; and Washington, 1.
TABLE 5. — VALUE OF CHURCHES AND AMOUNT OP CHURCH DEBT BY STATES, 1936
[Separate presentation is limited to States having 3 or more churches reporting value of edifices]
STATE
Total
number
of
churches
Number
of
church
edifices
VALUE OF CHUBCH
EDIFICES
DEBT ON CHUBCH
EDIFICES
Churches
reporting
Amount
Churches
reporting
Amount
United States
8
4
_
1
4
89,300
1
8250
Minnesota
5
3
3
1
8,300
1,000
1
250
Other States 1
i Includes: Wisconsin, Iowa, and Washington.
TABLE 6. — CHURCH EXPENDITURES BY STATES, 1936
[Separate presentation is limited to States having 3 or more churches reporting]
STATE
Total
num-
ber of
churches
EXPENDITURES
Churches
reporting
Total
amount
Sala-
ries,
other
than
pastors'
Re-
pairs
and
im-
prove-
ments
Other
cur-
rent
ex-
penses,
in-
clud-
ing in-
terest
Local
relief
and
charity
Home
mis-
sions
For-
eign
mis-
sions
All
other
pur-
poses
United States....
Minnesota
8
7
5
2
$1,189
764~
425
$149
$100
ioo"
$146
136
10
$60
$216
$475
___
250
$43
43
5
3
149
60
51
165
Other States *
i Includes: Wisconsin, Iowa, and Washington.
242 CENSUS' OF RELIGIOUS BODIES, 1936
HISTORY, DOCTRINE, AND ORGANIZATION l
DENOMINATIONAL HISTORY
Between 1870 and 1890 some Swedish Free Baptists emigrated to the United
States and settled in different localities. A number of these came together in
June 1893 at Dassel, Minn., for their first conference, and thereafter a yearly
conference was held at different places.
At the first conference they called their body the Swedish Independent Baptist
Church, but later changed the name to Scandinavian Independent Baptist De-
nomination of America. In 1912 one section of the group was incorporated,
and the name was changed again to Scandinavian Independent Baptist Denomi-
nation of the United States of America. The others, who had not joined in this
incorporation, held conferences and about 1923 associated themselves under
the name of the Scandinavian Free Baptist Society of the United States of Amer-
ica. The two factions finally came together at a conference held at Garden
Valley, Wis., in November 1927, adopting the name Independent Baptist
Church of America.
DOCTRINE
The Independent Baptist Church of America agrees with other evangelical
bodies on many points of doctrine, believing that "Christ tasted death for every
man/7 that "He arose again," and "every soul shall arise and stand before His
judgment seat." They believe and teach also that repentance and ( baptism in
water by immersion are prerequisite to membership, as well as participation in
the Lord's Supper. They also believe in the laying on of hands at the time of
acceptation into the church. They believe in the authority and necessity of
civil government and at the General Conference held in Roseland, Minn., June 8,
1898, a resolution was adopted pledging the church to obedience and loyalty to
the Government, in all of its demands, except what is contrary to the Word of
God, as participation in war, which, according to their expressed conviction, is
contrary to the Word of God. The resolution contained a formal request that
young people of this denomination be exempt from service in case of war.
WORK
The whole object or purpose of the denomination is to carry on Christian
mission work in the United States and foreign countries; to spread the Gospel in
the precepts of Christ and His Apostles; to encourage one another to love and
good works; to build up the church according to the truth given in God's Word,
both as to membership and spiritual growth; and to await Christ's second coming.
1 This statement, which is substantially the same as that published in vol. II of the Report on Religious
Bodies, 1926, has been revised by Elder O. M. Sundell, of the Independent Baptist Church of America,
Minneapolis, Minn., and approved by him in its present form.
AMERICAN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION
STATISTICS
Summary for the United States, with urban-rural classification, — A general
summary of the statistics for the American Baptist Association for the year 1936
is presented in table 1, which shows also the distribution of these figures between
urban and rural territory.
The membership of this denomination consists of those persons who have been
admitted to the local churches upon confession of their faith and baptism by
immersion.
TABLE 1. — SUMMARY OF STATISTICS FOB CHURCHES IN URBAN AND RURAL
TERRITORY, 1936
ITEM
Total
In urban
territory
In rural
territory
PEECENT OF
TOTAL 1
Urban
Rural
Churches (local organizations), number
1,064
115, 022
108
44,405
61, 487
9,130
72.2
2,076
93, 955
18, 991
2.2
895
848
$1,507,798
$1, 444, 215
$63,583
$1,778
59
$122, 215
563
50
44
$69, 710
1,020
$352, 529
$174,337
$20,422
$30, 610
$18,477
$36, 152
$10, 584
$16, 175
$6,657
$10, 164
$28, 951
$346
104
18, 149
175
6,869
9,942
1,338
69.1
739
14,361
3,049
4.9
88
83
$488, 168
$483,308
$4,860
$5,882
$92, 169
48
12
10
$25, 500
102
$116, 281
$47, 164
$7, 196
$6,819
$8, 696
$19, 258
$2, 815
$3,256
$1, 980
$6,379
$12, 718
$1, 140
960
96, 873
101
37, 536
51, 545
7,792
72 8
1,337
79, 594
15, 942
1.7
807
765
$1,019,630
$960, 907
$58T723
$1,333
44
$30,046
515
38
34
$44,210
918
$236,248
$127, 173
$13,226
$23,791
$9,781
$16, 894
$7, 769
$12, 919
$4,677
$3,785
$16, 233
$257
9.8
15.8
90.2
84. 2
MPS Tubers, •nnmhfir
Average membership per church
Membership by sex:
Male
15.5
16 2
14 7
84.5
83.8
85.3
Female
Sex not reported
Males per 100 females
Membership by age:
Under 13 years
35.6
15 3
16.1
64.4
84.7
83.9
13 years and over
Age not reported
Percent under 13 years ^
Church, edifices number
9 8
9.8
32.4
33.5
7.6
90.2
90.2
67.6
66.5
92.4
Valu6' — 'number reporting
Amount reported
Constructed prior to 1936
Constructed, wholly or in part, in 1936
Average value per church
JDebt~~number reporting
Amount reported - -
754
8 5
24.6
91.5
Number reporting "no debt"
Value number reporting
Amount reported
36 6
10.0
33.0
27.1
35.2
22.3
47.1
53.3
26.6
20.1
29.7
62.8
43.9
63.4
90.0
67.0
72.9
64.8
77.7
52.9
46.7
73.4
79.9
70.3
37.2
56.1
Expenditures:
Churches reporting number -
Amount reported
Pastors' salaries
All other salaries
Repairs and improvements
Payment on church debt, excluding in-
terest
All other current expenses, including in-
terest
Local relief and charity, Bed Cross, etc. . .
Home missions __
Foreign missions -
To general headquarters for distribution. _
All other purposes -
Averaere exoenditure oer church
' Percent not shown where base is less than 100.
* Based on membership with age classification reported.
275318—41-
-17
243
244
CEN'SiUS1 OF RELIGIOUS BODIES, 1936
TABLE 1. — SUMMARY OF STATISTICS FOR CHURCHES IN URBAN AND RURAL
TERRITORY, 1936 — Continued
ITEM
Total
In urban
territory
In rural
territory
PERCENT OF
TOTAL J
Urban
Rural
Sunday schools :
Churches reporting, number
798
6,677
50, 008
16
122
1,091
47
228
1,729
89
1,094
10, 657
4
61
609
8
65
518
709
5,583
39,351
12
61
482
39
163
1,211
11 2
16.4
21.3
88.8
83 6
78.7
Officers and teachers.. ._ _ . _
Scholars
Summer vacation Bible schools :
Churches reporting, number
Officers and teachers
50.0
55 8
50 0
44.2
Scholars
Weekday religious schools :
Churches reporting, number
Officers and teachers -- - - ...
28.5
30.0
71.5
70.0
Scholars . .
* Percent not shown whore base is less than 100.
Comparative data, 1936 and 1926. — -Table 2 presents, in convenient form for
comparison, a summary of the available statistics of the American Baptist Asso-
ciation for the census years 1936 and 1926.
TABLE 2. — COMPARATIVE SUMMARY, 1936 AND 1926
ITEM
1936
1936
ITEM
1936
1926
Churches (local organiza-
tions), number
1,064
1,431
Exp enditures— C ontmued .
Amount reported..
$352, 529
$482, 045
Increase 1 over preceding
Pastors' salaries , --
$174, 337
census.'
All other salaries
$20, 422
Number
—367
Repairs and improve-
Percent-
-25.6
ments ._
$30, 610
Members, nomtwr
115,022
117, 858
Payment on church
debt, excluding in-
> $351, 264
Increase * over preceding
terest .
$18, 477
census:
Number
Percent
-2,836
—2.4
All other current ex-
penses, including
interest
$36, 152
Average membership per
church -.
103
82
Local relief and char-
ity, Red Cross, etc
$10, 584
Home missions .
$16, 175
Church edifices, number
Value — number reporting.
Amount reported
Average value per
church..
895
848
$1,507,798
$1,778
1,066
1,054
$1, 832, 546
$1,739
Foreign missions
To general headquar-
ters for distribution.
All other purposes
Not classified . _ -
$6, 657
$10, 164
$28, 951
• $121,406
$9, 375
Debt— number reporting
Amount reported
59
$122,215
71
$58, 757
Average expenditure per
church
$346
$370
Parsonages, number
.50
Sunday schools :
Value— number reporting^
Amount reported
44
$69, 710
38
$76, 050
Churches reporting, num-
ber
798
918
Expenditures :
Churches re porting, num-
Officers and teachers
Scholars
6,677
50, 008
6,120
56, 228
ber
1,020
1,303
i A minus sign (— ) denotes decrease.
State tables. — Tables 3, 4, 5, and 6 present the statistics for the American
Baptist Association by States. Table 3 gives for each State for 1936 the number
and membership of the churches classified according to their location in urban or
rural territory, membership classified by sex, and data for Sunday schools. Table 4
gives the number and membership of the churches for the census years 1936 and
1926, together with the membership for 1936 classified as "under 13 years of age"
and "13 years of age and over." Table 5 shows the value of churches and par-
sonages and the amount of debt on church edifices for 1936. Table 6 presents,
for 1936, the church expenditures, showing separately current expenses, improve-
ments, benevolences, etc. In order to avoid disclosing the financial statistics of
any individual church, separate presentation in table 6 is limited to those States
in which three or more churches reported expenditures.
AMERICAN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION
245
TABLE 3. — NUMBER AND MEMBERSHIP OF CHURCHES IN URBAN AND RURAL
TERRITORY, MEMBERSHIP BY SEX, AND SUNDAY SCHOOLS, BY STATES, 1936
GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION AND
STATE
NUMBER OF
CHURCHES
NUMBER OF MEM-
BERS
MEMBERSHIP BT SEX
SUNDAY
SCHOOLS
13
o
H
a
03
.Q
£
"c3
»-j
s
"3
"o
H
5
"c3
P3
•3
%
Female
Sex not reported
1
«2
o
o
cu
S
1
Churches reporting
Officers and teachers
Scholars
United States
1,064
104
960
59
5
q
23
4
33
36
67
346
20
69
274
2
12
1
115, 022
375
3,893
358
1,127
1, 963
563
5,582
4,495
9,119
37,424
4, 057
7,773
36.545
402
1,196
80
18, 149
96, 873
44,405
81, 487
9,130
72 2| 798
6,677
50, 003
EAST NORTH CENTRAL:
Ohio
1
60
5
1
1
375
63
163
1,526
97
377
690
115
1,9P4
1,946
3,794
14, 261
1,347
2,614
14, 676
192
543
40
212
2,046
129
500
1,088
188
2,970
2,324
4,821
20,734
1.764
3,685
20,063
270
653
40
76 9
74 6
75 2
75.4
63 4
77.1
67.1
83.7
78 7
68 P
76.4
70 9
73 1
71.1
83 2
CO
1
43
5
5
19
2
14
28
53
297
18
62
234
1
15
1
45
344
39
35
141
15
106
190
35S
2,215
152
530
2,360
7
132
8
250
2,149
212
285
1,011
115
850
1,614
3.424
16.934
1,204
3,693
17, 403
45
859
60
WEST NORTH CENTRAL:
Missouri.
3,830
358
1,137
1,481
472
4,897
3,939
8,334
32, 981
3,218
6,563
28,619
212
752
80
321
132
260
185
230
618
225
504
2,429
946
1,474
1,806
Kansas, _
SOUTH ATLANTIC:
Georgia _ .. .
9
Florida
28
5
37
41
72
379
24
76
307
4
15
1
5
1
4
5
5
33
4
7
33
2
3
482
91
685
5*>6
785
4,443
839
1,210
7,926
250
444
EAST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Kentucky
Tennessee-
Alabama
Mississippi ,_ __
WEST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Arkansas
Louisiana
Oklahoma .
Texas .
MOUNTAIN:
Colorado
PACIFIC:
Oregon
California
» Ratio not shown where number of females is less than 100.
246
CENSUS OF KELIGIOUS BODIES, 1936
TABLE 4. — NUMBER AND MEMBERSHIP OF CHURCHES, 1936 AND 1926, AND
MEMBERSHIP BY AGE IN 1936, BY STATES
GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION AND STATE
NUMBER OF
CHURCHES
NUMBER OF
MEMBERS
MEMBERSHIP BY AGE, 1936
1936
1926
1936
1936
Under
13
years
13 years
and
over
Age
not re-
ported
Percent
under
13i
United States
1,064
1
1,431
115,022
117, 858
2,076
93,955
18,991
2.2
EAST NORTH CENTRAL:
Ohio
375
3,893
358
1,137
1,963
24
69
351
3,030
226
840
1,614
558
4,415
4,024
6,816
31, 176
3,451
5,837
30,408
122
1,087
6.4
2 2
WEST NORTH CENTRAL:
Missouri _ ._
60
5
9
28
5
37
41
72
379
24
76
307
4
15
1
23
1,300
794
132
287
346
Kansas
SOUTH ATLANTIC:
Georgia
10
3
5
151
46
33
418
14
184
1,040
1 2
. 2
9
3 3
1.1
.5
1.3
.4
3 1
3.3
Florida .
EAST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Kentucky
563
5, 582
Tennessee
1,016
425
2,270
5,830
592
1,752
5,097
340
30
80
Alabama
36
61
560
34
97
G20
4,495
9,119
37, 424
4,057
7,773
36, 545
462
1,196
3, 043
7,028
41, 281
3,996
7,357
53, 853
Mississippi
WEST SOUTH CENTRAL-
Arkansas
Louisiana
Oklahoma
Texas
MOUNTAIN:
Colorado
PACIFIC:
Oregon
79
0.8
California
80
i Based on membership with age classification reported.
AMERICAN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION
247
TABLE 5. — VALUE OF CHURCHES AND PARSONAGES AND AMOUNT OF CHURCH
DEBT BY STATES, 1936
GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION
AND STATE
Total
num-
ber of
churches
Num-
ber of
church
edifices
VALUE OF CHURCH
EDIFICES
DEBT ON CHURCH
EDIFICES
VALUE OF
PARSONAGES
Churches
reporting
Amount
Churches
reporting
Amount
Churches
reporting
Amount
$69, 710
United States
1,064
895
848
$1, 507, 798
59
$122, 215
44
EAST NOETH CENTRAL:
Ohio
1
60
5
9
28
5
37
41
72
379
24
76
307
4
15
1
1
0)
WEST NORTH CENTRAL:
Missouri
43
5
9
23
4
33
28
65
324
23
51
2G9
4
13
1
40
5
8
23
4
32
27
63
305
23
49
252
4
12
1
51, 280
11,500
10,000
25,000
5,200
53, 557
20,050
76, 050
340, 693
26, 400
85,900
768, 468
8,700
} 225,000
5
1,105
Kansas
1
C)
SOUTH ATLANTIC
Georgia,..
1
1
250
100
Florida
EAST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Kentucky
Tennessee
4
972
Alabama
1
2
6
8
5,950
Mississippi __
2
17
2
1
24
100
21, 772
2,050
35
93,031
WEST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Arkansas
Louisiana
Oklahoma
5
21
4,260
39,800
Texas
MOUNTAIN-
Colorado
PACIFIC.
Oregon
2
2,800
{ !
0,800
o;
12,900
California
C ombinations
1 Amount included in figures on the line designated "Combinations," to avoid disclosing the statistics
of any individual church.
2 Amount for California combined with figures for Oregon, to avoid disclosing the statistics of any indi-
vidual church.
248 CENSUS OF RELIGIOUS BODIES, 1936
TABLE 6, — CHURCH EXPENDITURES BY STATES, 1936
[Separate presentation is limited to States having 3 or more churches reporting]
E
XPENDITURE
3
GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION AND
STATE
number
of
churches
Churches
reporting
Total
amount
Pastors'
salaries
All other
salaries
Repairs
and
improve-
ments
United States
1,064
1,020
$352, 529
$174,337
$20, 422
$30, 610
WEST NORTH CENTRAL:
Missouri
60
57
14, 164
7,833
836
1,017
Kansas
5
5
1,919
1,121
94
111
SOUTH ATLANTIC:
Georgia ... .
9
7
2,344
1,025
71
582
Florida . .
28
28
7,987
4,142
702
328
EAST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Kentucky .-
5
5
803
447
77
Tennessee
37
35
9,234
5,348
619
814
Alabama
41
41
8,363
3,762
949
2,067
Mississippi
72
70
20,519
11,211
1,162
2,335
WEST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Arkansas _ . _
379
365
89, 427
46,071
3,815
10, 482
Louisiana .
24
24
9,340
5,873
579
623
Oklahoma
76
76
23, 795
13, 523
1,580
959
Texas
307
289
145, 430
64, 737
9,282
10, 877
PACIFIC:
Oregota
15
15
14, 723
6,689
36
286
Other States
6
i 3
4,481
2,555
620
129
GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION AND
STATE
EXPENDITURES— continued
Payment
on church
debt, ex-
cluding
interest
Other
current
expenses,
including
interest
Local
relief
and
charity
Home
missions
Foreign
missions
To gen-
eral head-
quarters
All
other
purposes
United States . . .
$18, 477
200
192
275
74
$36, 152
$10, 584
$16, 175
$6, 657
$10, 164
$28, 951
WEST NORTH CENTRAL:
Missouri - -
882
60
97
1,128
36
476
70
677
8,753
1,118
1,889
17, 838
2,738
390
155
845
108
126
539
70
207
544
1,347
3,215
232
1,620
5,836
1,186
300
574
20
18
49
106
74
266
552
1,693
35
339
1,984
847
100
72
12
1,750
201
19
462
Kansas
SOUTH ATLANTIC:
Georgia
131
517
67
744
308
1,070
2,612
153
709
3,818
250
50
Florida _
46
EAST SOUTH CENTRAL-
T"Tf>nt,nf>ky
Tennessee.-- ~ -
219
70
15
168
1,082
205
289
7,953
663
382
1,922
5,927
219
1,962
14,068
1,291
85
Alabama _
Mississippi
75
5,777
303
925
9,037
1,400
WEST SOUTH CENTRAL:
Arkansas
Louisiana
Oklahoma
Texas
PACIFIC:
Oregon
Other States
252
i Includes: Ohio, 1; Colorado, 1; and California* 1.
AMERICAN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION 249
HISTORY, DOCTRINE, AND ORGANIZATION 1
DENOMINATIONAL HISTORY
The American Baptist Association is not a separate and distinct denomination,
but it is a separate and distinct group of Baptists. They separated themselves
from the convention groups because they regarded the methods and polity of the
convention as an innovation among Baptists. They claim that their associations
are a direct continuance of the cooperative work in missions, benevolences, etc.,
since the time of Christ and the Apostles. They sincerely believe that those
Baptists who work with the conventions, though they may be orthodox in faith,
have departed from the New Testament principles of church cooperation.
The purpose of this body is to do missionary, evangelistic, benevolent, and educa-
tional work throughout the world. They do not unionize with other religious
sects and organizations because they believe that their churches are the only true
churches; they believe also that the Lord Jesus Christ gave the commission (Matt.
28: 18-20) to the churches, and that they are, therefore, the divine custodians of
the truth, and that they only have the divine right of carrying out the commands
of Jesus as stated in the great commission, and of executing the laws of the king-
dom, and of administering the ordinances of the Gospel.
They believe that each church is an autonomous, independent body, and that
the churches are amenable only to Christ as Lord and Master. They believe
also that each church is on a perfect equality with every other like church, and
therefore should have an equal representation in all their associated work.
DOCTRINE
The American Baptist Association accepts the New Hampshire Confession of
Faith that has been so long held by American Baptists. They believe in: The
infallible verbal inspiration of the whole Bible; the Triune God; the Genesis
account of creation; the Deity of Jesus Christ; the virgin birth of Christ; the
sufferings and death of Christ as vicarious and substitutionary; the bodily resur-
rection of Christ and the bodily resurrection and glorification of His saints;
they believe in the second coming of Christ, personal and bodily as the crowning
event of the gospel age, and that His coming will be premillennial; the Bible
doctrine of eternal punishment of the wicked; that in the carrying out of the
commands of Jesus in the great commission, the churches are the only units,
all exercising equal authority, and that responsibility should be met by them
according to their several abilities; that all cooperative bodies such as conventions,
associations, etc., are only advisory bodies and cannot exercise any authority
whatsoever over the churches. They believe furthermore that salvation is
wholly by grace through faith without any admixture of law or works, and that
the church was instituted during the personal ministry of Jesus Christ on the
earth. They believe also in the absolute separation of church and State, and in
the principle of absolute religious freedom.
ORGANIZATION
They believe that in the strict sense the American Baptist Association is not
an organization, but is a cooperation of the churches composing it. But since
all the churches cannot meet in the annual meetings, churches elect three mes-
sengers who represent them in these annual meetings, and for convenience in
their deliberations the messengers when assembled in their annual meetings elect
a president, and three vice presidents; two recording secretaries; and a secretary-
treasurer. They are strictly congregational in their polity. All questions are
settled by a majority vote of the messengers present, except amendments to their
Articles of Agreement, and such questions which are required under parliamentary
law to be settled by a two-thirds majority vote of the messengers present.
The American Baptist Association proper never meets since it would be a
physical impossibility for all the churches composing it to meet at one time.
Hence the annual meetings are called "The meeting of the messengers composing
the American Baptist Association. "
1 This statement was furnished by Dr, J. E. Cobb, secretary-treasurer, American Baptist Association,
Texarkana, Ark,-Tex., and has been approved by him in its present form.
250 CENSUS OF RELIGIOUS BODIES, 1936
WORK
.The missionary work of the churches of the American Baptist Association is
divided into three phases: (1) Associational missions. This is missionary
work done by a group of churches composing a district association usually the
size of a county. (2) State missions. This is missionary work done by State
associations working in harmony with the churches composing the American
Baptist Association. (3) Interstate and foreign missions This is missionary
work done by all the churches hi the nation cooperating with the churches com-
posing the churches of the American Baptist Association. Interstate missions is
work done by missionaries from State to State; foreign mission work, of course, is
that done in foreign countries.
The benevolent work is usually carried on by the district and State associations.
Several States maintain orphanages and this is benevolent work. Churches and
district associations have funds to help support the poor and indigent in their
bounds.
Educational work is carried on (1) by the individual churches through their
Sunday schools and training departments. Sunday school and young people's
literature is published by the Baptist Sunday School Committee at Texarkana,
Ark.-Tex. This literature goes into practically all the States of the Union.
(2) Religious newspapers are published by individuals and churches for the dis-
semination of information concerning the work. (3) There are religious colleges
and Bible institutes where men are trained for the ministry. The medium for the
distribution of funds of the American Baptist Association is the secretary-treasurer
whose headquarters are at Texarkana, Ark.-Tex.
CHRISTIAN UNITY BAPTIST ASSOCIATION
STATISTICS
The data given for 1936 represent seven active organizations of the Christian
Unity Baptist Association, all reported as being in rural territory. The classi-
fication of membership by age shows all members reported as being "13 years of
age and over."
Four church edifices were reported with a value of $1,450. No parsonages were
reported.
The membership of this denomination consists of persons who have been ad-
mitted to the local church upon profession of faith and baptism by immersion.
The Christian Unity Baptist Association was not reported prior to 1936, hence
no comparative data are available.
State tables. — Tables 1 and 2 present the statistics for the Christian Unity
Baptist Association by States. Table 1 gives for each State the number and
membership of the churches, membership classified by sex, and data for Sunday
schools. Table 2 presents the church expenditures, showing separately current
expenses, improvements, benevolences, etc. Separate presentation in table 2 is
limited to the State of North Carolina, the only State in which three or more
churches reported expenditures, in order to avoid disclosing the financial statistics
of any individual church, and for this reason no table is given showing the value
of church edifices.
TABLE 1. — NUMBER AND MEMBERSHIP OF CHURCHES, MEMBERSHIP BY SEX,
AND SUNDAY SCHOOLS, BY STATES, 1936
STATE
Num-
ber of
church-
es
MEMBERSHIP
MEMBERSHIP BY SEX
SUNDAY SCHOOLS
Num-
ber
Aver-
age per
church
Male
Fe-
male
Males
per 100
fe-
males l
Churches
reporting
Officers
and
teach-
ers
Schol-
ars
United States
7
188
27
65
123
53 8
3
13
112
Virginia
1
4
2
11
125
52
11
31
26
4
45
16
7
80
36
1
1
1
6
6
1
35
60
17
North Carolina _ . .
Tennessee
i Ratio not shown where number of females is less than 100.
TABLE 2. — CHURCH EXPENDITURES BY STATES, 1936
[Separate presen